Renegade Umbra Kato complicating peace talks By Virgilio J. Bugaoisan 08/18/2011

Renegade Umbra Kato complicating peace talks

By Virgilio J. Bugaoisan 08/18/2011

Malacañang is not satisfied with the declaration of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that the group of Commander Ameril Umbra Kato is now officially a renegade. Apart from just a public declaration that Kato is no longer associated with the MILF, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda also wants the MILF leadership to ensure that his departure will not mean another Moro secessionist group.

At a press briefing, Lacierda said Malacañang remains very concerned over the implications and possible complications of Umbra Kato’s renegade status as, in effect, this could mean that the MILF headed by Chairman Al Haj Murad simply does not have anything to do with him.

There are also concerns that this could even be a ploy to allow the MILF to negotiate peace with the government without necessarily giving tactical options utilizing the Umbra Kato’s “renegade” group.

“We remain hopeful that the MILF will be able to resolve this internal situation. And we remain hopeful that by doing so, the peace process can move forward. Everything is within the realm of hopefulness owing to the fact that we had a good goodwill meeting between Chairman Murad and the President (Aquino),” Lacierda said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110818hed3.html