Malaysia pulls out remaining peacekeepers in Southern Philippines

The remaining contingent of Malaysian peacekeepers, who were part of the International Monitoring Team, departs Mindanao on Sunday, November 30, 2008. (Mindanao Examiner Photo Service / Mark Navales)

SHARIFF KANSUNSUAN, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 30, 2008) – Malaysia has pulled out Sunday all its remaining peacekeepers in the restive southern Philippines island of Mindanao.

Peace talks between Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Arroyo government collapsed in August after the failed the signing of the Muslim homeland deal. The failed deal triggered rebel attacks in August in several provinces in Mindanao.

Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, a Philippine Army spokesman, said the remaining 12 Malaysian peacekeepers led by Admiral Dato Pahlawan Amzah Bin Sulaiman flew out of Mindanao onboard a Malaysian Air Force transport plane. The Malaysians were part of the International Monitoring Team composed of Libya, Brunei and Japan and Canada.

“The terms of reference of the IMT, which expired today, had not been renewed and the remaining 12 Malaysian peacekeepers were recalled by their government. They left at 2.45 p.m. today from the Awang airport (in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Shariff Kabunsuan province),” Ando said.

The Malaysian-led IMT had been in Mindanao since 2004. It was made up of 41 Malaysian Armed Forces and Royal Malaysian Police officers, supported by 10 army officers from Brunei, five from Libya and the team has been expanded to have personnel from Canada and Japan.

In May, Malaysia also pulled out a team of truce observers in Mindanao.

Ando said the Brunei contingent would remain in Mindanao. He said the pull out of the peacekeepers will have no significant effect on the current situation in Mindanao.

But the MILF said those from Libya, Japan and Canada would report to their embassies in Manila. “They will report to their respective embassies in Manila and we hope the IMT would be reactivated again to monitor the cease-fire between the MILF and the Philippines government,” said Eid Kabalu, a senior MILF leader.

“We still have a cease-fire agreement with the MILF. The truce is still in effect, although, sporadic clashes continue in some areas because of our operation against rogue MILF members behind the August attacks in Mindanao,” he said.

Malaysia said it is prepared to consider future participation in the IMT if there is progress in the peace process and a formal request is made by both the peace panels.

Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said they suspended participation in the IMT after its mandate expired Sunday.
“Malaysia remains supportive of the peace process and hope that the two sides opt for dialogue and negotiations in bringing about a peaceful solution in Mindanao,” Rais said.

Fighting between security and rebel forces was also reported in Basilan island, south of Zamboanga City. Clashes broke out Friday and that one civilian was killed in the fighting in the towns of Al-Barka and Tipo-Tipo, both strongholds of the MILF in Basilan island.

President Gloria Arroyo opened up peace talks in 2001 with the MILF, the country’s largest Muslim rebel group fighting for self-determination in Mindanao, but despite the cease-fire accord, hostilities still continue with both sides accusing each other of violating the fragile truce. (With a report from Mark Navales)

Troops Capture MILF Base In Southern Philippines

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 28, 2008) –Philippine soldiers pursuing Moro Islamic Liberation Front forces captured Thursday one of the rebel’s biggest camp in Mindanao as government offensive continue in the troubled region.

Officials said troops occupied Camp Bilal that straddles several towns in the hinterlands of Lanao del Norte, scene of fierce clashes between security and rebel forces.

But soldiers failed to capture two notorious rebel leaders - Ameril Kato and Abdurahman Macapaar – blamed for the series of attacks in Mindanao that killed nearly 200 people since last week.

More than 160,000 have been displaced by the fighting despite a cease-fire agreement between the two sides and the exodus of civilians still continue in many areas in Mindanao.

The influential Organization of the Islamic Conference on Wednesday appealed to Manila to halt military offensives in Mindanao. Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the OIC Secretary General, expressed deep concern over the recent outbreak of hostilities that is threatening the seven-year old peace talks between Manila and the MILF.

Hundreds of MILF rebels under Kato and Macapaar launched a series of attacks after the aborted signing August 5 of the memorandum of agreement on the ancestral domain between by peace negotiators.

The Supreme Court temporarily stopped the signing of the deal after some mostly Christian lawmakers and politicians opposed to the deal filed separate petitions.

The accord would have granted Muslims their own homeland in more than 700 villages across Mindanao. But the controversial agreement sparked a series of protests from residents opposed to the inclusion of their areas to the ancestral domain that will make up the so-called Bangsamoro Juridical Entity.

Ihsanoglu condemned the rebel attacks against innocent civilians, calling it illegitimate acts conducted by wayward elements affiliated with the MILF, which refused to abide to repeated appeals by the group's leadership to maintain calm, peace and restraint in Mindanao.

Manila has demanded the MILF to surrender Kato and Macapaar and also offered P10 million rewards for their capture. The government also said it will suspend the signing of the ancestral domain agreement until the two rogue leaders are captured.

But Ihsanoglu expressed concern over the reports that the Arroyo government intends to freeze the memorandum agreement on the ancestral domain, which he said came about as a result of strenuous, long and sincere efforts by peace negotiators.

He said it is unfortunate to let undisciplined elements from the MILF determine the course of negotiations or halt the peace process.

"The Secretary General urged the parties to the conflict to rapidly return to the negotiating table and continue working together in the same positive spirit that led to the conclusion of the agreement."

"The parties need to preserve and build upon the accomplishments so far achieved in a bid to reach the just and durable peace desired by all," the OIC said in a statement.

Ihsanoglu praised Malaysia for playing a key role in the peace talks between the Philippines and the MILF.

Malaysia has been brokering the peace negotiations, but had already pulled out most of its truce observers deployed in Mindanao after accusing Manila of delaying the talks, although Kuala Lumpur extended the stay of a small team for the next three months to bring together the peace process.

Ihsanoglu said the OIC and other countries are supporting efforts to preserve peace and restore calm and stability in southern Philippines.

He stressed that the Manila and the MILF would work out a swift settlement to the current crisis that threatens to thwart the peace process and for both sides to refrain from giving extremist elements the opportunity to dictate their own agenda or determine the course of events in Mindanao. (With reports from Mark Navales and Merlyn Manos)

Extend Term Of Reference Of Intl Truce Observers: Institute of Bangsamoro Studies

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Rebels Restless Over Stalled Mindanao Peace Talks

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MILF Vows To Pursue Self-Determination In Troubled Filipino South

Philippine military chief General Hermogenes Esperon and his Malaysian counterpart General Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal during their visit Saturday, May 3, 2008 in Maguindanao province in the southern Philippines. They are assisted by Maj.Gen.Datuk Mat Yasin bin Mat Daud, head of the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team. (Mindanao Examiner Photo/Mark Navales)

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / May 03, 2008) – Philippine Muslim rebels negotiating peace with Manila on Saturday vowed to fight for independence, as talks remain stalled over demands for ancestral domain in the troubled South.

"We are firm with our demands for self-determination. We cannot compromise our determination and our freedom," Eid Kabalu, a spokesman for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, told the Mindanao Examiner.

Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, the Philippine military chief, said soldiers are supportive of the peace process and also wanted peace in Mindanao. “We are all supportive of the peace process,” he said.

Esperon arrived in Maguindanao province with his Malaysian counterpart Gen. Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal and met with senior military leaders. Esperon, who is retiring next week, later spoke to soldiers and thanked them as part of his exit calls. While Zainal separately spoke to Malaysian troops who are part of the International Monitoring Team.

Peace talks had been stalled after both sides failed to agree on the scope of the ancestral domain, which is the single most important issue in the peace negotiations before the rebel group can reach a political settlement.

The MILF said the government peace negotiators led by Rodolfo Garcia last year agreed on the scope of the ancestral domain, but later reneged on the accord that will constitute a separate homeland for over 4 million Muslims in Mindanao, also home to about 17 million mostly Christians and other indigenous tribes.

It said Garcia completely disregarded the agreement on the ancestral domain and insisted again that the granting of homeland to Muslims in Mindanao would solely be through Constitutional process which the rebel group previously opposed. But the Philippine Constitution prohibits the dismembering of the country.

The MILF said the stance of the government peace panel virtually jeopardized the integrity of the peace process and to continue with the talks would virtually turn it into a circus.

"Under the agreement, the Muslim autonomous region will be part of the independent Bangsamoro homeland and those areas outside the region would vote on an independence referendum," Kabalu said.

He said the ancestral domain covers the whole of Muslim autonomous region and other areas in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani provinces where there are large communities of Muslims and indigenous tribes. And even Palawan Island in central Philippines and the Sulu Archipelago.

Malaysia which is brokering the peace talks said it would start pulling out its truce observers deployed in Mindanao if there is no progress in the negotiations.

Kabalu said the government is now building up its military firepower in Mindanao and is causing apprehension in areas where the MILF is active. "The truce and the peace talks are shaky right now and there is apprehension because of this build-up of military firepower in Mindanao and the withdrawal of the truce observers."

"The MILF will remain vigilant. We are not sure how the cease-fire will hold without the Malaysian-led international truce observers," Kabalu said, adding, the MILF respects Malaysia's decision to withdraw all its observers unless there is a significant progress in the stalled peace talks.

Murad Ebrahim, the secluded leader of the MILF, said Manila is to be blamed should the peace talks collapse. "If the peace process fails as a result of the GRP's dilly-dallying and spoiling, we are left with no choice, but to seek other means of achieving our objective. Should that happen the government is to blame for failing to settle the conflict through diplomatic means," he said.

The MILF previously appealed to rebels and supporters for patience as the talks stalled over demands for a separate Muslim homeland.

"The Philippine Government bears the responsibility to comply with its commitment to adhere to the consensus points and agreed Memorandum of Agreement draft proposal on ancestral domain. Such moves will avert the peace process from falling apart," Ebrahim said.

"Let me reiterate to all, including the international community that the MILF leadership is very serious and fully committed to resolve the conflict between the Bangsamoro people in Mindanao and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines through the current peace process," he said.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Kuala Lumpur wanted progress in the peace process. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim also said Kuala Lumpur will not be sending any more truce observers to Mindanao after the mandate of its current team ends in September. Members of the Malaysian Defense Forces had been in Mindanao since 2004 as part of the International Monitoring Team (IMT).

The monitoring team is composed of 41 officers from the Malaysian Defense Forces, the Royal Malaysia Police, and the Prime Minister's Department and is also supported by 10 military officers from Brunei Darussalam and 5 from Libya. Canada and Japan have also members on the team.

Since the IMT arrived, fighting between security and rebel forces drastically decreased from 698 armed clashes in 2004 to just 7 incidents last year.Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, a regional army spokesman, doused the apprehensions of the MILF and said the military is committed to the peace process and would further strengthen the mechanism of the cease-fire agreement in Mindanao.

"Like the MILF, we are also for peace and we wanted to see an end to the conflict in Mindanao. We respect the decision of the Malaysian government to pull out its truce observers and we appreciate Malaysia's commitment to peace in Mindanao," Ando said.

Mohammad Ameen, a senior rebel leader, said the MILF will only sign a peace deal with Arroyo government if it establishes genuine governance for Muslims either in the form of "state" or "sub-state".

President Gloria Arroyo opened up peace talks with the MILF in 2001 and signed a cease-fire agreement, but some rebel commanders see the negotiations as a strategy which is aimed at temporarily stopping the hostilities in Mindanao until her term ends in 2010 and pass on the secessionist problems to the next president. (With reports from Mark Navales)

Photo: International Truce Observers Plant "Trees Of Hope" In Southern Philippines

Malaysian Colonel Zainudin Mat Zain, right, site commander of the International Monitoring Team (IMT), leads truce observers and Filipino government officials during a recent tree planting activity dubbed as "Plant a Tree of Hope" in Sarangani province in southern Philippines. The IMT monitors the truce between Philippine troops and Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels in Mindanao. (Photo by Gandhi Kinjiyo/Kalinaw Sarangani Unit)

Malaysian Truce Observers Hailed, Praised In South RP

Malaysian doctor Meor Adzary from the GRP-MILF International Monitoring Team gives free check-up to a T’boli woman in the village of Maligang in Kiamba town in Sarangani province. (Mindanao Examiner Photo/Gandhi Kinjiyo)

SARANGANI, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 21, 2008) – Malaysian truce observers deployed in southern Philippines provided free medical care to hundreds of indigenous people as part of their commitment to help poor communities in Mindanao.

The Malaysians, members of the International Monitoring Team, were assisted by local health volunteers during the day-long humanitarian mission held in the town of Kiamba in Sarangani province.

Most of those who benefited from the medical mission were T’boli natives in the villages of Maligang and Gasi on Tuesday. “Dubbed as “Joint Medical Mission for Peace,” the activity was sponsored by the GRP-MILF International Monitoring Team, the Local Government Units of Kiamba and Kalinaw Sarangani Unit under the Office of the Governor of Sarangani,” said Kiamba Vice Mayor Dr. Elmer de Peralta.

Malaysian doctor Meor Adzary, from the Medical Team of IMT, was joined by Dr. Harry Famular, from the Department of Health-Region 12 in providing free services the villagers.

“The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process and the Malaysian Government provided the medicines and vitamins,” Cmdr. Zainudin Mat Zain, RMN, Team Site 4 leader of the IMT revealed.

Zainuddin also praised local government units of Kiamba and the Office of the Governor for the assistance to the medical mission. “If we work as a team, we can achieve whatever we plan,” he said.

In order to maximize services to the beneficiaries, free birth registration by the Local Civil Registrar, distribution of free seedlings of trees immunization and branding of live stocks by the Municipal Agriculture Office was also held.

The regular session of the Sangguniang Bayan of Kiamba was held simultaneously during the medical mission. “This is done in order to let the people know we’re trying to reach them out and hear their voice,” the vice mayor said.

The staff of the Kalinaw Sarangani Unit (KSU) and Maligang Health Workers served as interpreters and assisted in the distribution of medicines.

Maligang is identified as one of the 35 Peace and Development Communities (PDCs) of the province. PDCs receives intervention from the Peace and Development Program of the province through the KSU such as seminars on mediation, culture of peace, provision of Tindahan para sa Kalinaw, Botika ng Barangay, and other social services.

T’bolis comprise 95% of the population of both villages with high illiteracy rate among the adults. Abaca, corn and copra are the major produces of the two villages. Farming is the major economic activity of the constituents. The IMT, composed of contingents from Malaysia, Libya, Brunei, and Japan, is tasked to monitor the ceasefire agreement between the GRP and the MILF while the peace talks in ongoing. The Malaysian government facilitates the GRP-MILF peace process.

With the presence of the IMT for more than two years, there was a remarkable reduction of incidence of skirmishes between forces of government and MILF.

The MILF is the largest group of Moro secessionist in the country.

Governor Miguel Rene A. Dominguez and Kiamba Mayor Rommel Falgui expressed their appreciation to the IMT team for their humanitarian mission. (Gandhi Kinjiyo)

Malaysian Truce Observers Pulling Out Of Mindanao

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 16, 2008) – Malaysian truce observers deployed in the southern Philippines are pulling out unless peace talks between the Philippines and Muslim rebels resume.

Maj. Gen. Datuk Mat Yassin bin Mat Daud, head of the Malaysian contingent, said they would return home by August if no agreement is forged between the Filipino government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels, which are fighting for a separate state in the war-torn, but mineral-rich region of Mindanao.

Peace talks were stalled last after government and rebel negotiators failed to agree on the scope of the Muslim ancestral domain, which is the single most important issue in the negotiations before the MILF can reach a political settlement.

The ancestral domain covers the whole of Muslim autonomous region, which comprises five provinces, and other areas in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani provinces where there are large communities of Muslims and indigenous tribes and Palawan Island in central Philippines and the Sulu Archipelago.

President Arroyo has opened up peace talks with the MILF in 2001, but since then no substantial agreements have been signed between the two sides, expect for the cease-fire accord.

“I doubt very much that IMT will stay in Mindanao (if no agreement is signed by then),” the Malaysian general said over a fellowship dinner hosted by Mayor Muslimin Sema, of Cotabato City, on Tuesday.

Yassin was referring to the International Monitoring Team, which is composed of 41 officers from the Malaysian Defense Forces, the Royal Malaysia Police, and the Prime Minister’s Department and is also supported by 10 military officers from Brunei Darussalam and 5 from Libya. Japan also has a member in the IMT.

Malaysia, an influential member of the Organization of Islamic Conference, is brokering the peace talks between Manila and the MILF, but it had previously threatened to pull out its contingent from the IMT if the negotiations remain stalled.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said they wanted progress in the peace talks. The Malaysian truce observers have been in Mindanao the past three years.

Since the IMT arrived, fighting between security and rebel forces drastically decreased from 698 armed clashes in 2004 to just 7 incidents last year.

The MILF earlier warned that hostilities may erupt in Mindanao if the peace talks fail or if Malaysia pulls out its truce observers from the IMT in Mindanao, whose 16 million populations included four million Muslims. (With a report from Abdullah Cusain)

Muslim Rebels Resume Talks; Warn Of Renewed War In Mindanao If Negotiations Fail

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 23, 2007) – Muslim rebels negotiating peace with Manila resumed talks Tuesday with Filipino negotiators, but warned hostilities may erupt in Mindanao should the talks fail.

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels are fighting for a separate homeland in Mindanao, whose 16 million populations included about 4 million Muslims.

Rebels and government peace negotiators are holding talks in Malaysia in an effort to sign a deal on the Muslim homeland.

Peace talks have been stalled since September last year after both sides failed to agree on the issue of ancestral domain, which refers to the rebel demand for territory that will constitute a Muslim homeland. It is the single most important issue in the peace negotiations before the rebel group can reach a political settlement.

“The issue on ancestral domain must be resolved first before we can resume formal peace talks. We cannot have perpetual peace negotiations,” Eid Kabalu, a rebel spokesman, told the Mindanao Examiner.

He said hostilities may break out if peace talks fail or if Malaysia pulls out its truce observers in Mindanao.

Malaysia, an influential member of the Organization of Islamic Conference, is brokering the peace talks between Manila and the MILF, but it has threatened to pull out its contingent from the International Monitoring Team if the talks remain stalled.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Malaysia wanted progress in the seven-year old peace talks between the rebels and the Arroyo government.

Kuala Lumpur has shortened the stay of the IMT in Mindanao, from one year to only three months. Members of the Malaysian Defense Forces had been in Mindanao, the second largest island in the Philippines, since 2004 as part of the International Monitoring Team (IMT).

The IMT is composed of 41 officers from the Malaysian Defense Forces, the Royal Malaysia Police, and the Prime Minister’s Department and is also supported by 10 military officers from Brunei Darussalam and 5 from Libya. Japan also has a member in the IMT.

“We want to resolve this problem. The peace talks have been stalled since last year and we cannot have a perpetual cease-fire with the Philippine government. A cease-fire without any political settlement is not a guarantee that there is peace. The Muslims need real peace,” Kabalu said.

The strife-torn, but mineral-rich Mindanao had been embroiled in political dispute and power struggle between the government and rebels for more than three decades. But the MILF also blamed political warlords and big businessmen of exploiting the region’s natural resources.

“Without a real peace, exploitation by political warlords and big corporation and influential businessmen will continue unabated and will leave the Muslims without lands of their own, without natural resources to call their own and not even a descent livelihood for everyone. The ancestral domain is the only answer to these problems and the road to peace in Mindanao,” Kabalu said.

Philippine and MILF peace negotiators also held secret talks in Kuala Lumpur early this month, but both sides failed to arrive at an agreement that would end more than three decades of insurgency in the southern Philippines.

The rebels were insisting on the ancestral domain which covers the whole of Muslim autonomous region and other areas in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani provinces where there are large communities of Muslims and indigenous tribes. And even Palawan Island in central Philippines and the Sulu Archipelago.

Manila has previously offered the MILF the whole of the Muslim autonomous region, which is composed of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi which are among the poorest in the country torn by strife and clan wars since its creation in 1989. The rebels rejected the offer. (Mindanao Examiner)

Malaysia's Threat To Pull Out Truce Observers In Mindanao Is Real: MILF

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 05, 2007) – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front on Friday confirmed that Malaysia has threatened to pull out its truce observers in Mindanao, probably next year, if Manila fails to make progress in the peace talks with Muslim rebels.

Malaysia said it wanted progress in the seven-year old peace talks between the MILF and the Filipino government. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Malaysia's involvement in the mission to monitor the conflict in Mindanao might be extended but not indefinitely.

“They will be extended but the extension cannot be indefinite. So, we want to see progress in the talk,” he said.

Kuala Lumpur has shortened the stay of the IMT in Mindanao, from one year to only three months. Members of the Malaysian Defense Forces had been in Mindanao, the second largest island in the Philippines, since 2004 as part of the International Monitoring Team (IMT).

The IMT is composed of 41 officers from the Malaysian Defense Forces, the Royal Malaysia Police, and the Prime Minister’s Department and is also supported by 10 military officers from Brunei Darussalam and 5 from Libya. Japan also has a member in the IMT.

But despite the peace talks and a fragile truce signed seven years ago, sporadic clashes between soldiers and rebels still continue in Mindanao. However, the presence of the IMT prevented the clashes from further spreading.

“Malaysia has threatened really to pull out from the IMT unless the stalled peace talks move on and we could not imagine how the peace process would be without the IMT and without a third country brokering the negotiations.”

“The peace process could be imperiled once the IMT pulls out in Mindanao or Malaysia stops mediating in the negotiations. But the MILF is prepared for any situation, bad or worse,” a senior MILF rebel leader, who asked not to be identified, told the regional newspaper, the Mindanao Examiner.

Manila has been negotiating peace with the MILF, the county’s largest Muslim rebel group fighting for the establishment of a strict Islamic state in the troubled, but mineral-rich region of Mindanao, whose 16 million populations include about 4 million Muslims.

The region had been embroiled in political dispute and power struggle between the government and rebels for more than three decades.

Filipino government officials have been trying to downplay Malaysia’s statement and blamed the media for the inaccurate news.

“Malaysia has contributed immensely to our peace efforts and we are confident it will continue to be with us and other nations in our peace and development work,” Secretary Jesus Dureza, Presidential peace adviser, said in a statement on Friday.

Dureza said the peace talks are progressing, but the MILF said they were not. The MILF accused President Gloria Arroyo of wasting away seven years in peace talks.

“Don’t dribble too much, 2001 to 2010 is too long for a decisive President to clinch an agreement with the MILF to address the problem in Mindanao,” Jun Mantawil, another senior leader, said.

“The government will not be short of pretensions why the talks are not moving, but what it cannot hide is the fact the remaining term of President Arroyo is not far away and even the ancestral domain aspect of the Tripoli Agreement of 2001 has not been hurdled by the two parties despite the excellent facilitation of the Malaysian government,” he said.

Peace talks have been stalled since September last year after both sides failed to agree on the issue of ancestral domain, which refers to the rebel demand for territory that will constitute a Muslim homeland. It is the single most important issue in the peace negotiations before the rebel group can reach a political settlement.

Last week, Philippine and MILF peace negotiators held secret talks in Kuala Lumpur, but both sides failed to arrive at an agreement that would end more than three decades of insurgency in the southern Philippines.

Malaysia, an influential member of the Organization of Islamic Conference, has brokered the talks in an effort to revive the stalled peace negotiations.

The rebels were insisting on the ancestral domain which covers the whole of Muslim autonomous region and other areas in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani provinces where there are large communities of Muslims and indigenous tribes. And even Palawan Island in central Philippines and the Sulu Archipelago.

Manila has previously offered the MILF the whole of the Muslim autonomous region, which is composed of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi which are among the poorest in the country torn by strife and clan wars since its creation in 1989. The rebels rejected the offer.

President Gloria Arroyo opened up peace talks in 2001 with the MILF and signed a truce, but negotiations were slow and rebels said the government is only using the talks to prevent hostilities from erupting in Mindanao until her term ends. (Mindanao Examiner)

4th RBAF Peace Monitoring Team Bound For Philippines: The Brunei Times

SIX personnel from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) departed for Mindanao in the southern part of the Philippines Tuesday to represent Brunei Darussalam in the fourth contingent of the International Monitoring Team (IMT).

The IMT is a Malaysian-led, 60-member body that oversees the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between the Philippines government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a Muslim separatist group there.

The Mindanao-bound crew boarded the Royal Brunei Air Force CN235 transport aircraft at a departing ceremony at the Hangar 'B' of the Rimba Air Force Base yesterday, witnessed by RBAF Commander Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General Dato Paduka Seri Hj Halbi Hj Md Yussof.

The fourth contingent will be taking over the duties of the third, which is due to return this afternoon.

The fresh contingent of troops comprises of four officers and two warrant officers.
They are: Major Hj Rosmadi Hj Othman, Captain Hj Hasmin Hj Lilah, Captain Sharil Affendi Hj Abdullah, Lieutenant Mohd Yusra Hj Piut, Warrant Officer Abu Sufyan Hj Metassan and Warrant Officer Pg Hj Nordin Pg Hj Sulaiman.

Their mission will involve observing and monitoring the implementation of the cessation of hostilities between the Philippines government and the MILF, along with the socio-economic development aspects under the agreement.

They will form a singular mobile team and will be located at Cotabato City, where their monitoring operations will cover the provinces and cities located therein.
In addition, throughout their tour of duty they will be provided with the privileges and immunities given to resident diplomatic representatives.

The operation highlights Brunei's contribution towards regional cooperation, and demonstrates the nation's support of peace and stability in the Southeast Asian region.

It will also provide much-needed experience and exposure for the RBAF personnel in overseas missions.

Brunei's contribution as part of the IMT has been operating in Mindanao ever since October 2004, after the Philippines government and the MILF signed the ceasefire agreement in July 2003.

Brunei and the Philippines recently carried out a combined naval exercise, codenamed Exercise Seagull, to further enhance their operational and communications interoperability against seaborne terrorist threats and other transnational crimes. (The Brunei Times)

New Malaysian Truce Observers Arrive In Southern Philippines

A team of Malaysian truce observers prepare their things and heading home after spending a year in southern Philippines as a new batch arrives Monday Aug. 3, 2007 in Maguindanao province. The cease-fire observers is part of the International Monitoring Team deployed in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner Photo Service/Mark Navales)

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / 03 Sept) – More than two dozen Malaysian truce observers arrived on Monday in the southern Philippines to replace a team heading home, officials said.

The soldiers arrived on board a Malaysian Royal Air Force C-130 cargo plane at the Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao province, where the International Monitoring Team is maintaining a base.

Philippine military officials welcomed the Malaysian team and at the same time expressed their gratitude to those who are returning home after spending a year in the troubled Mindanao region.

Filipino and Muslim rebels peace negotiators have agreed to extend the stay of international truce observers in Mindanao after holding urgent talks last week in Malaysia.

The IMT is composed of 41 officers from the Malaysian Defense Forces, the Royal Malaysia Police, and the Prime Minister's Department and is also supported by 10 military officers from Brunei Darussalam and 5 from Libya. Japan also has a member in the IMT.

But despite the peace talks and a fragile truce signed six years ago, sporadic clashes between soldiers and rebels still continue in Mindanao.

However, the presence of the IMT prevented the clashes from further spreading.
Malaysia is brokering peace talks between the Philippine government and the MILF, but negotiations ended in September in Kuala Lumpur with both sides failing to sign any agreement on the most contentious issue -- ancestral domain – which refers to the rebel demand for territory that will constitute a Muslim homeland.

It is the single most important issue in the peace negotiations before the rebel group can reach a political settlement.

President Gloria opened up peace talks in 2001 with the MILF, which is fighting for independence in Mindanao island, whose 16 million population includes about 4 million Filipino Muslims.

Mohagher Iqbal, chief MILF peace negotiator, said Manila previously offered his group the Muslim autonomous region, which is composed of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi which are among the poorest in the country torn by strife and clan wars since its creation in 1989. The MILF flatly rejected the offer and insisted on self-determination.

The ancestral domain, on the other hand, covers the whole of Muslim autonomous region and other areas in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani provinces where there are large communities of Muslims and indigenous tribes. And even Palawan Island in central Philippines. (Mark Navales)

Photo: Malaysian Peace Maker

Lieutenant Colonel Razun Bin Abubakar, team leader of Malaysia-led International Monitoring Team deployed in the Zamboanga Peninsula and other truce observers, pose for photo with Superintendent Manuel Barcena, chief of the Zamboanga City police force, during a visit Wednesday, 18 Apr 2007. (Mindanao Examiner Photo/Ely Dumaboc)

Mindanao Peace Process Gets Japanese Backing

MANILA – Tokyo has given another solid backing to the ongoing peace process between the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) through an implementing arrangement which signals the formal commencement of the study on the socio-economic reconstruction and development of conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.

The study which will be undertaken over a two-year period shall culminate in the formulation of a socio-economic development plan for the conflict-affected areas.The implementing arrangement was signed by Silvestre Afable, Jr., chairman of the government peace panel, and Kenji Maekawa, mission leader of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Both peace panels requested the Japanese government to assist in the formulation of the development plan last year, along with their request for the immediate dispatch of a senior Japanese development adviser to the International Monitoring Team (IMT) deployed in the southern Philippines.

The Japanese IMT representative subsequently joined the Malaysian-led monitors in Mindanao on October last year.The Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA), the Mindanao Taskforce and IMT alsosigned the documents as witnesses.

The BDA is the implementing body identified by the MILF to determine, lead and manage rehabilitation and development projects in the areas affected by the conflict in Mindanao. (With a report from the Mindanao Examiner)

MILF Firm On Demand, Ready To Resume Peace Talks With Manila

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Photo: Japanese Embassy Officials In Manila

Secretary Jesus Dureza (right), Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process in the Philippines, hands out copies of the National Peace Month commemoration issue of the Philippine Free Press to Akira Sugiyama (left), Japanese Embassy Economic Section Minister-Counselor, and Masafumi Nagaishi (center), Japan’s representative to the International Monitoring Team (IMT). The Mindanao-based IMT is a composite of military, police, and civilian peace monitors from Malaysia, Brunei, Libya, and – recently – Japan.

Tokyo Sends Expert To Join International Truce Observers In Strife-Torn Mindanao

MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / 19 Oct) – A senior Japanese official arrived Thursday in Manila to join a group of international truce observers deployed in the mineral-rich, but dangerous region of Mindanao.

Masafumi Nagaishi, an economic development expert, is heading for Cotabato City in Maguindanao province next week to begin his year-long tour of duty as Japan plays an important role in the peace process in the troubled southern region.

Nagaishi was head of the Disaster Management Team of the Global Environment Division of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Tokyo prior to his new assignment.

Manila is currently negotiating peace with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the country’s largest Muslim rebel group fighting for the establishment of a strict Islamic state in Mindanao.

Nagaishi will also assess reconstruction needs and development projects in conflict-affected areas in the south as part of the Malaysia-led International Monitoring Team (IMT).

His work will focus on monitoring the socio-economic aspect of the peace process and work closely with the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA), the rehabilitation and development arm of the MILF.

Japan Foreign Minister Taro Aso who visited the Philippines in July said the commitment is part of Tokyo’s peace effort in Mindanao. Japan is a major aid donor to the Philippines.

Aside from the MILF, the communist New People's Army rebels and the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group and the Southeast Asia terror network, Jemaah Islamiya, are also actively operating in Mindanao.(Mindanao Examiner)

Despite Impasse In Peace Talks, IMT Stays In Mindanao, Says Malaysian Commander

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Malaysia-led Truce Observers Satisfied With Mindanao Cease-fire

Northern Mindanao police director Chief Supt. Florante Baguio, left, Malaysian Maj. Gen. Dato Mohd Ismail Bin Ahmad Khan, 2nd from left, head of the internatioanl truce observers, Philippines Brig. Gen Edgardo Gurrea, 3rd from left, and Von Al Haq, right, of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front during a press conference Thursday 05 Oct 2006 at Camp Alagar in Cagayan de Oro City. (Dante Sudaria)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Mike Banos / 06 Oct) – The International Monitoring Team 3 (IMT-3) overseeing the peace process between the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) expressed satisfaction over the progress of the negotiations, despite a deadlock in the talks aimed at ending more than three decades of Muslim rebellion in Mindanao.

Maj. Gen. Dato Mohd Ismail bin Ahmad Khan of Malaysia, IMT-3 head, said in a meeting here Thursday that his country remains committed to overseeing the peace process for the Philippines in general, and Mindanao in particular, to help Filipinos attain "everlasting peace."

Malaysia is brokering the peace talks, but the negotiations stalled after both sides failed to sign an agreement on the so-called Muslim ancestral domain.

Ismail was accompanied by Brig. Gen. Edgardo M. Gurrea, chairman of the government’s Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and his counterpart in the MILF, Von Al Haq.

Gurrea and Al Haq’s groups have briefed Ismail about the truce agreement.

"Our purpose is to orient Gen. Ismail and introduce him to the various heads of the LGUs, AFP and PNP commands covered by the GRP-MILF conflict areas.”

“Despite the impasse in the peace panel talks, we are happy to note the ceasefire mechanism at all levels is still in place and discharging its intended purpose to keep the peace,” Gurrea told the Mindanao Examiner.

The IMT-3 was on the second leg of its orientation tour which included the two Lanao provinces, Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon province where Ismail met Gov. Jose Ma. Zubiri Jr. before proceeding to Cotabato City.

During the first leg of its visit, the team toured the cities of Cotabato and Davao and the Socsksargen (Sarangani, South Cotabato, General Santos) region. The final leg of the tour will cover Western Mindanao, including Zamboanga City and Sulu Archipelago.

Gurrea clarified that while the ongoing peace talks were focusing on three main talking points -- security, rehabilitation and development of conflict areas and ancestral domain, or the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity -- the ongoing orientation tour was more focused on security and the monitoring of the peace and order situation in the identified conflict areas, to ensure that any violations of the truce accord would be properly addressed by the authorities not deteriorate into a wider conflict involving security and rebel forces.

Prior to the start of the peace process and the organization of the IMT, the GRP-MILF conflict areas had over 700 violence-related incidents. After the tour of the IMT-1, this was reduced to approximately 500, and went down further to only 10 last year under the tour of IMT-1.

"We are happy to note that there has been no incidents reported under IMT-3, and our fighting target is to maintain this zero level for the duration of the one year tour of Gen. Ismail," Gurrea said.

Ismail also noted that the present areas of disagreement between the GRP and MILF peace panels were focused on "political and diplomatic" issues and not conflict related, which demonstrates that the CCCH mechanism is working to prevent violent conflict from breaking out between the AFP and MILF armed forces.

For his part, Al Haq expressed satisfaction that all parties involved in the peace forces were facing and working towards one direction, which is the attainment of a just and lasting peace in Mindanao.

"The essence of Ramadan is sacrifice, and all of us should offer a measure of sacrifice for the greater good of a just and lasting peace," Al Haq said.

Gurrea cautioned that despite the zero incidences of GRP-MILF violence-related incidents under IMT-3's stewardship, "We must continue to be vigilant against those who seek to disrupt the ongoing peace talks."

"What's important is the mechanism of the CCCH is holding and keeping the peace, to allow the GRP-MILF peace talks to continue under an atmosphere conducive to negotiation and settlement," he added.

Other members of the IMT-3 team accompanying Ismail were Lt. Col. Nazeri bin Ismail, Maj. Mustaffa bin Ibrahim, Lt. Cmdr. Muhd Shakir bin Salleh, Capt. Azuan bin Salehuddin, Capt (DR) Amran bin Amir Hamzah, Cpl. Zainal bin Othman, and Encik Hisham bin Rosle, all of Malaysia. (Mindanao Examiner)