PIMENTEL AIRS DISMAY OVER CANCELLATION OF GOVT-MILF PEACE GAB IN KUALA LUMPUR

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Nene" Q. Pimentel, Jr. (PDP-Laban) today expressed dismay over the reported cancellation of new round of the peace talks between the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) supposedly scheduled for today in Kuala Lumpur.

Pimentel said the peace talks should be pursued despite the military's ongoing punitive operations against Abu Sayyaf and rogue elements of rebel groups in Sulu and Basilan who were responsible for the July 10 ambuscade and killing of 14 Marine troopers, 10 of whom were beheaded by their attackers.

He said that the military offensive should not be made an excuse for the continued suspension of the peace negotiation since Malacañang and defense-military authorities have made it clear that the operations are not directed at the MILF or the Moro National Liberation Front.

Noting that the peace talks have been suspended since September 2006, the senator from Mindanao said the long hiatus erodes the level of confidence between the government and rebels, aside from heightening anxiety and uncertainty over the law and order situation in the South.

"The cancellation of the peace talks closes another door to peace in Muslim Mindanao," Pimentel said.

"Still, no peace talks will provide a lasting solution to the problem in the South unless it is accompanied by a comprehensive formula for peace and development in the area and that is the adoption of a federal system of government."

Pimentel added that the military campaign against the Abu Sayyaf extremists is unrelated to and should not hamper the peace talks in anyway.

"The peace talks must not be used as an excuse for the continuation of the atrocities of the Abu Sayyaf," he said.

"The Abu Sayyaf is a bandit group that must be stamped out of existence. They are causing a lot of problems for the innocent Moro people and for the republic as well."

Meanwhile, Pimentel likewise voiced disappointment over the prolonged delay in the tripartite conference among the government, Moro National Liberation Front and the Organization of Islamic Conference to review the implementation of the 1996 peace agreement.

The tripartite conference had already been scheduled to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia last July 17 to 20 but this was cancelled due to the reported unavailability of the foreign affairs minister of Indonesia, which is the chair of the OIC's Committee of the Eight which is overseeing the compliance of the government and MNLF with their commitments under the peace accord.

Pimentel said the shelving of the tripartite meeting only serves to fuel the frustration of Muslim rebels who feel that the government has been falling short of fulfilling its commitments specially in terms of implementing and funding projects that will hasten the economic development of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

He noted that MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari did not hide his disdain over this turn of events, specially since his request to attend the OIC-sponsored conference had been granted by the Makati Regional Trial Court. Misuari has been under house arrest in connection with the rebellion case against him.