THE European Union yesterday urged the
government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to go back to
the negotiating table as it expressed concern over rising
violence in Mindanao and the growing number of civilian
casualties and refugees.
The EU also condemned what it described as
"indiscriminate" killing of civilians and called for those
responsible to face the law,
"The European Union is also concerned that
civilian militias may become embroiled in the violence. This is
particularly worrying and has the potential to inflame sectarian
violence," it said in a statement.
"The European Union believes strongly that
the conflict in Mindanao can only be resolved through dialogue
and calls upon all parties to show restraint and genuine respect
for the rule of law. The European Union urges the government of
the Philippines and the MILF, which both have invested heavily
in the peace process, to agree to an early return to negotiating
table in order to seek a lasting solution to the conflict," it
said.
"The European Union reiterates its
willingness to continue to assist communities in Mindanao, while
noting that the successful delivery of its development programs
could be jeopardized if the violence continues," it said.
An early return to the negotiating remained
up in the air as the MILF Tuesday expressed confidence Malaysia
would not press for the surrender of two MILF commanders who are
being pursued by government troops for leading the attacks on
North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte communities last month.
The surrender of Commanders Kato and Bravo
has been made a precondition for resumption of negotiations by
the government.
"Dato Othman knows the rules. He will not do
that, he will not do that," said MILF chief negotiator Mohagher
Iqbal, referring to Othman Abdul Razak, the Malaysian official
who has been acting as go-between in negotiations.
Hermogenes Esperon Jr., presidential adviser
on the peace process, earlier said he has asked Razak to
convince the MILF leadership to turn over Kato and Bravo so they
could be prosecuted.
Esperon met Razak during his recent trip to
Kuala Lumpur where he explained to Malaysian Foreign Minister
Rais Yatim the reason for the government decision to scrap the
signing of the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain
(MOA-AD) last August 5.
Iqbal said surrendering the commanders
violates the ceasefire agreement between the MILF and the Arroyo
administration.
On the surrender of the two as a precondition
for resumption of negotiations, Iqbal said: "That’s an
imposition. That cannot happen in a negotiation – imposing
conditions on the other side. That cannot happen."
Iqbal said the peace talks may not resume
until the MOA-AD is signed. The agreement was stalled by a
temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court on the
petition of local government officials questioning the MOA.
The government later said that it would not
sign the MOA-AD, adding a new agreement would have to hammered
out.
Iqbal said the MOA-AD should be signed first
consistent with the 2001 Tripoli agreement.
"We have to finish the memorandum of agreement first. Then we
can go to last agenda (disarmament, demobilization and
rehabilitation) of the talks," he said. – Victor Reyes
