Peace panel chief: No done deal as RP, MILF meet By Michaela P. del Callar 08/22/2011

Peace panel chief: No done deal as RP, MILF meet

By Michaela P. del Callar 08/22/2011

Government chief peace negotiator Marvic Leonen yesterday said no peace deal will be signed in the next round of talks with Muslim rebels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this week.

Even as President Aquino and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairman Al Haj Murad have pledged to accelerate the ongoing negotiations to conclude a final peace agreement during a surprise meeting in Tokyo, Japan last Aug. 4, Leonen said no accord will be hastily approved until provisions are thoroughly reviewed.

“We have learned from the lessons of the past and we will not repeat the same mistakes. I would like to emphasize that there is no ‘done deal,’” Leonen said. “The government panel is not going to Malaysia to sign a peace agreement.”

The Aug. 22 to 24 Malaysian-brokered talks would provide an opportunity for both sides to tackle substantial issues, including a rebel demand for an expanded Muslim autonomous region and larger access to revenues from natural resources in areas guerrillas want minority Muslims to control.....MORE



Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110822hed4.html