BY VICTOR REYES

DEFENSE Secretary Gilbert Teodoro yesterday said the recent breakthrough in peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation would have positive implications on security in the South because of an expected decrease in skirmishes between the secessionists and government troops.

Teodoro was referring to the settling of the ancestral domain issue, which had snagged the talks last December.

But Teodoro said security forces would be vigilant against those who may want to "sabotage" the peace talks which started in 1997, a year after the government signed a peace accord with the Moro National Liberation Front.

The military has recorded at least 40 incidents of atrocities committed by MILF from May to June, targeting civilian and military targets. MILF leaders said the attacks were perpetrated by field commanders who were disgruntled over the slow progress in the peace process.

Government and MILF negotiators settled the ancestral domain issue Wednesday during exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur. A formal meeting has been set on July 24 to determine the date on when a draft agreement on the substantive agenda would be signed.

Among others, a plebiscite might be held next year for the possible inclusion of at least 712 barangays in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The barangays are from the provinces of Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Zamboanga Sibugay and Palawan.

Eid Kabalu, the MILF' civil military operations chief, said the MILF considers the developments in the talks a breakthrough. "There is no more hindrance for them to proceed with the (formal) talks, particularly on ancestral domain."

Kabalu said the MILF is not opposing the holding of a plebiscite "because we are not opposed to consultation with the people."

Asked how an expanded ARMM would be worked out with the MNLF, Kabalu said this can be "reconciled."

MILF-MNLF UNITY?

The ARMM was established as part of the 1996 peace agreement signed with the MNLF, then chaired by Nur Misuari who is under house arrest on a rebellion charge.

"The MNLF and the MILF are not enemies... It's a possibility for a possible accommodation for the MNLF and other groups for unity. Let us unite for the sake of bringing peace and bringing development in the area," said Kabalu, also the spokesman of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, the MILF's armed wing.

Kabalu said the MILF has been holding a "solidarity conference" with the MNLF on peace and development.

However, unification of the two groups may not be possible because the MNLF has ceased to be a revolutionary movement, he said.

On whether there would be sharing of the leadership of the juridical entity, Kabalu said: "Yes, why not. The MILF is not selfish to reject whoever wants to become part of the juridical entity so long as it will redound to the interest of our people."

Asked if the breakthrough will result in less skirmishes with government troops, Kabalu said: "Right now, it's a mere agreement in principle. They still have to take the next step which is the signing of the ancestral domain agreement."

'FREEDOM'

Kabalu said the development was advantageous not only to the MILF but also to the entire country.

On why the MILF agreed to drop the word "freedom" in the ancestral domain issue, Kabalu said the word had been misinterpreted by government negotiators to mean independence. He noted that a covenant signed as early as the talks began in 1987 that independence would not be discussed in the negotiating table.

"They (government negotiators) want to set aside the term because of the fear that we might again raise the issue of independence. Under the negotiation, there is no point toward the issue of independence... We are not talking about independence," he said.

On whether the juridical entity can take the form of a federal state, Kabalu said: "It's premature to talk about federalism in the country because we are not in a federal system of government."

Malacañang said the proposed ARMM expansion will be in conformity with the Constitution and will not compromise national interest.

"Everything will be within the bounds of the law," said Press Secretary Jesus Dureza, former presidential peace adviser.

Dureza said the government's peace panel led by retired military general Rodolfo Garcia is working to ensure that every move in the peace process will be in accordance with the Constitution.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the Palace is not ruling out the possibility of undertaking Charter change before 2010.

"They (MILF) have to agree that this government cannot immediately say `yes' over certain agreements because it will need amendment of our Constitution," he said. - With Wendell Vigilia