KUALA LUMPUR (MindaNews/23 August) – The Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) adjourned their peace negotiations at 11:45 a.m. today, a day ahead of schedule.
“It’s adjourned,” the Malaysian facilitator, Tengku Dato’ Ab Ghafar Tengku Mohamed, told MindaNews at the foyer, a few meters from the Executive Boardroom of the Royale Chulan Hotel, where the talks are being held behind closed doors. He said it was adjourned because the MILF peace panel will take back the government’s peace proposal to the MILF Central Committee.
No date has been set for the next meeting. He said it will be set as soon as the MILF ‘s Central Committee “comes up with its own position.”
The panels resumed Day 2 of a supposed three-day negotiation, at around 9:40 a.m.
The talks were originally scheduled for August 2, 3 and 4, at half day sessions in deference to Ramadan.
MindNews sources said today’s agenda included only three items: the terms of reference of the International Monitoring Team’s Humanitarian, Rehabilitation and Development Component, Oil and gas explorations; and the MILF’s response to the government’s peace proposal. A 2 p.m. closing was also scheduled.
But government peace panel chair Marvic Leonen walked into the foyer at 11:45 a.m., telling his staff, “tawagin silang lahat. Ngayon na” (call all of them. Now).
Leonen declined to talk to media. “Later,” he said.
The government delegation is presently meeting at the Tai Ping restaurant, on the same floor as the Executive Boardroom’s.
The MILF peace panel, as of 12:15, has yet to walk into the foyer.
Both panels are holding caucuses, separately.
Members of the International Contact Group who are allowed to observe the negoitaitons, have not walked into the foyer. MindaNews chanced upon the facilitator at the foyer. (Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews)
More details later
