Source: opapp.gov.ph

Manila, Apr. 1 – The Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel negotiating with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is set to conduct consultations with different local government units (LGUs) in Mindanao. The first leg of consultations is scheduled on April 13-15.

The GPH panel will consult with LGU officials of Buluan, Maguindanao on April 13; Isulan, Sultan Kudarat on April 14; and Koronadal City, South Cotabato on April 15. Consultations with the local executives of Saranggani, Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, and North Cotabato will likewise be set in upcoming weeks.

The series of consultations aims to solicit the views and outlooks of LGUs on the peace negotiations between the government and the MILF. It also seeks to create awareness and engage the LGUs in the peace process discourse.

The next round of talks between the two panels will be on April 27-28 wherein the Comprehensive Compact, the MILF’s starting position on the substantive issues of the negotiations, is expected to be discussed.

The GPH panel has already conducted a total of 18 consultations with different sectors including the academe, civil society organizations (CSOs), indigenous peoples, government officials, media, and the military.

Marvic Leonen, chair of the GPH panel, previously expressed in a press conference the government’s desire to conduct public consultations to know the concerns of the stakeholders.

“What we hope to happen is that there is some public discussion on many of the issues,” said Leonen. “We’re looking at the ability to be able to understand for both panels what is the sentiment coming from the ground.”

Leonen has also encouraged CSOs to “make political choices” and air their opinions on different Moro issues so that decisions will not be solely made by the government.

“We are hoping that it is not only the government that carries the burden,” noted Leonen.

For the coming weeks, the panel will likewise hold consultations with CSOs.

Just this month, Leonen together with Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles, spoke in a peace conference on Moro issues. It was held at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City and attended by various academic and non-government groups.

Leonen, being the head of the GPH panel for MILF talks, also sits in Cabinet meetings where he directly reports the progress of negotiations with the MILF to President Benigno Aquino III. Likewise, the GPH Panel also attends congressional and senate meetings to update legislators on the progress of the talks. #

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