Malaysia satisfied over Philippine gov’t & MILF commitment to resolve conflict in Mindanao

The government of Malaysia, which mediates the peace talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), is pleased to note the commitment of both parties to settle the conflict through negotiation and peaceful means, the Luwaran website reported.

The current negotiation would soon usher in comprehensive and lasting solution to the conflict as the prospect of peace between the two is significantly enhanced by the tremendous success of the ceasefire agreement, the report said quoting a top ranking Malaysian official.

Malaysian Deputy Defense Minister Dato Hji Zainal Abidin Bin Hji Zin, who is currently in Mindanao to assess the task of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) of looking into the implementation of the bilateral truce between the government and MILF rebels, quoted in the article as saying that “We are seeing strong commitment and sincerity from all parties and stakeholders to achieve lasting peace in Mindanao.”

“We have no other intention except to see a peaceful and progressive Mindanao which is in harmony with the Malaysian government’s policy of prosper thy neighbor. I commend the IMT for a remarkable performance in sustaining peace efforts on the ground marked by strong support and cooperation from all the stakeholders of peace,” according to the report.

The deputy defense minister also cited the tremendous reduction of ceasefire violations by both the GRP and the MILF since the coming of the IMT last October 10, 2004. The Malaysian-led IMT is composed of 56 military officers from Malaysia, Brunei and Libya.

Its primary task is to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between the GRP and the MILF.

“I attributed this success to the ceasefire agreement to the good cooperation and complementing efforts of all parties, particularly the Joint GRP-MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH).”

The Malaysian deputy defense minister arrived Thursday, April 6, in Cotabato City, Central Mindanao and the following day paid a courtesy call to MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim at Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. On Sunday, the visiting official also paid a courtesy call to Southern Command Chief Maj. Gen. Gabriel Habacon at Southcom headquarters, where an IMT satellite office is based. (ZS)