Moro group Suara Bangsamoro warned the Arroyo government on derailing its peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
This after reports that the military raided an alleged MILF safehouse in Midsayap, North Cotobato last May 4.
“The rising incidence of clashes between the AFP and the MILF forces, as well as the widening rift between the MILF leadership and the Arroyo government, especially on the ancestral land issue could lead to the collapse of the peace negotiations,” Zaynab Ampatuan, SUARA’s national chairperson said.
Ampatuan recounts recent armed encounter between government troops and alleged lost command elements of the MILF which was reported in local newspapers during the past week.
“The government has a very notorious record in violating ceasefires which always result to bungled peacetalks, which is why no final peace agreement has yet been inked between the two parties,” Ampatuan said.
SUARA expressed guarded hopes on the development of the peace talks, and cited worries that electoral interests may be at play.
“The Moro people have yet to see the sincerity of the government in pursuing the peace negotiations and at this time when political interests over the ARMM are magnified because of the elections, the people are seeing signs of another letdown in the progress of the talks,” Ampatuan said.
Just days ago, MILF Spokesman Khaled Musa also warned the government of “protocol breach” which he said could lead to the “erratic handling” of the peace talks. #
****** INBOX is an archive of press releases, statements, announcements, letters to the editors, and manifestos sent to Davao Today for publication. Please email your materials to davaotoday@gmail.com. Davao Today reserves the right to edit or refuse material for publication. *****
Peace Process
