A Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighter guards a village in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 28, 2011) – The Philippines’ largest Muslim rebel group, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, said it is confident of signing a peace accord with Manila that would end decades of bloody fighting in the restive southern region of Mindanao.
The MILF is currently negotiating peace with the Aquino government in an effort of putting a stop to the fighting that had displaced tens of thousands of civilians in the largely Catholic region which is home to about four million ethnic Muslims.
“We are optimistic that peace can be achieved under the Aquino administration and we want the peace process to succeed,” said Eid Kabulu, a spokesman for the rebel group which is fighting for self-determination.
Kabalu said they have begun a consultative meeting among members and supporters in Maguindanao province, a known stronghold of the MILF, a breakaway faction of the larger Moro National Liberation Front which signed a peace deal with Manila in September 1996.
He said thousands of MILF members were briefed by leaders on the progress of the peace process. Kabalu said the consultations which started on Tuesday will end on February 4 and that rebel chieftain Murad Ebrahim will hold a news conference at an MILF base next week.
“The consultations are going and there are mixed feelings among our members about the peace talks, but majority are optimistic that negotiators can sign an agreement under the Aquino administration,” Kabalu said.
The consultations are divided into four sessions corresponding to the major regions of Mindanao where rebel forces are actively operating, he said. (Mindanao Examiner)
The MILF is currently negotiating peace with the Aquino government in an effort of putting a stop to the fighting that had displaced tens of thousands of civilians in the largely Catholic region which is home to about four million ethnic Muslims.
“We are optimistic that peace can be achieved under the Aquino administration and we want the peace process to succeed,” said Eid Kabulu, a spokesman for the rebel group which is fighting for self-determination.
Kabalu said they have begun a consultative meeting among members and supporters in Maguindanao province, a known stronghold of the MILF, a breakaway faction of the larger Moro National Liberation Front which signed a peace deal with Manila in September 1996.
He said thousands of MILF members were briefed by leaders on the progress of the peace process. Kabalu said the consultations which started on Tuesday will end on February 4 and that rebel chieftain Murad Ebrahim will hold a news conference at an MILF base next week.
“The consultations are going and there are mixed feelings among our members about the peace talks, but majority are optimistic that negotiators can sign an agreement under the Aquino administration,” Kabalu said.
The consultations are divided into four sessions corresponding to the major regions of Mindanao where rebel forces are actively operating, he said. (Mindanao Examiner)
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