Mak Anthony R.

Reyes

IT-4104

MILF calls Aquino-Murad meeting 'a great leap forward' Personalities: President Benigno Aquino III MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Friday said the secret meeting between its leader and President Benigno Aquino III in Tokyo was a "great leap forward" in efforts to end the decades-old conflict in southern Philippines. In a statement, the MILF said the one-on-one meeting between President Aquino and MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim is expected to give a boost and fast track fresh peace talks, currently being facilitated by Malaysia. "It is viewed as a great leap forward for both leaders, indicating a determined as well as decisive move for President Aquino and MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad to put closure to the conflict in Mindanao," the MILF statement said. During the meeting, Aquino and Murad reached a consensus that all "substantive and outstanding issues" will be taken up for deliberation on the negotiating table. The Moro rebel group described the meeting as "very cordial, frank, honest, and intimate." The Philippine government and the MILF will hold another round of negotiations on Aug. 15 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The government is due to issue a counter-proposal to the rebels' demand to set up a "state within a state" structure in Muslim provinces in Mindanao.

Opinion How many people are victims of their battle? How many peace talk they did for the closure of their conflicts? I thought this Great Leap Forward doesnt enough to stop the war of MILF between the governments. May be the peace talk could help PARTIALLY. What I mean is, suddenly peace after a day, a week or a month the battle started again. What happen to the peace talk? Who should violate the agreements? It should be MILF or Governments?