Petition on interim pact with MILF premature — GRP panel By Michaela P. del Callar 04/30/2010

Petition on interim pact with MILF premature — GRP panel

By Michaela P. del Callar 04/30/2010 The head of the government peace negotiating panel with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has branded as “premature” the petition filed by North Cotabato officials before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking to prevent the Arroyo administration from signing an interim peace agreement with the Muslim separatist group. Government peace chief negotiator Rafael Seguis told reporters that the petition that local government officials of the southern province has filed before the high court is premature since an interim agreement has yet to be forged between the two parties as talks over the matter are still on-going. “In fact, as of this date, the Philippine government panel and the MILF have not even agreed on a negotiating draft,” Seguis said.  He, though, said he expects that it is just a matter of time before the government and the Muslim rebel group forges such an agreement. “At the least, there is need to preserve the gains of 13 years of negotiations and assure that the peace process will continue with a clear roadmap,” Seguis said in defending the government’s push for an interim deal to be sealed with the MILF assuring that the rebel group will continue negotiating peace with the next administration after the Arroyo government bows out on June 30.... MORE   Source:  The Daily Tribune   URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20100430nat1.html

NATION Petition on interim pact with MILF premature — GRP panel DoJ defers ruling on MR DoJ defers ruling on MR Senate workers shun admin bets in mock polls Puno expects JBC shortlist of next CJ next week