Pimentel welcomes designation of new chief govt negotiator in MILF talks

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. (PDP-Laban) today said he welcomes the designation of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis as the new chairman of the government panel undertaking peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) but emphasized that the problem is too big for him to get the peace process moving again.

"Seguis is a very capable diplomat whose expertise will be very useful in pursuing the peace negotiation with the MILF," Pimentel said.

He said the entry of Undersecretary Seguis comes at a time when the peace talks have come to a stand still, as a consequence of the Supreme Court's decision voiding the government-MILF memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain.

The unfavorable situation, according to the minority leader, has been compounded by Malaysia's pullout of its 40-man peace-keeping force from the International Monitoring Team which is helping maintain the ceasefire in Mindanao.

Pimentel said the withdrawal of the Malaysian peace-keeping contingent puts into question whether Kuala Lumpur will continue with its role as facilitator and host of the peace talks.

He observed that the Arroyo government appears to be preparing for Malaysia's exit from the negotiation. In fact, he said that the Palace has been floating the idea of asking Indonesia, or the Organization of Islamic Conference to replace Malaysia as peace broker.

Pimentel said Malaysia could not be faulted for pulling out its peace-keeping contingent because it has taken the government and the MILF far too long to forge a final peace agreement. Malaysia has assumed the role of peace facilitator since the Arroyo government initiated peace talks with the MILF in 200l.

But he said it cannot be denied that Malaysia has been less than effective in brokering the peace process because it has an interest to protect in the face of its unresolved territorial dispute territorial dispute with the Philippines over Sabah.

Aside from this, he said there is a suspicion that Malaysia has a "hidden agenda" to pursue in relation to the commercial development of the vast Liguasan Marsh in the Cotabato-Maguindanao area.

Pimentel expressed the belief the grievances and demands of the MILF can be resolved without the need for a foreign peace broker for as long as both the government and the rebel group are sincere and decisive in addressing the problem.

He urged the government to formally propose the creation of a BangsaMoro Federal State within the ambit of a federalized Philippine republic to fulfill the aspirations of the Muslim Filipinos for genuine autonomy and recognition of their rights to preserve their cultural identity and live according to their Islamic faith.

Pimentel called on the government to engage other sectors of the Muslim community in the peace process including the ulamas, as well as the representatives of the business, academe, nongovernment organizations, youth, cultural communities and workers.