Manila - The Philippine government will continue peace efforts with Muslim separatists despite the withdrawal of Malaysian ceasefire monitors, chief peace negotiator Hermogenes Esperon said Friday.
Esperon expressed his "profound gratitude" to Brunei, Libya and Japan for agreeing to extend their participation in the peace process.
"Malaysia`s decision to suspend its participation in the IMT (International Monitoring Team) will not deter us from seeking ways and means in pursuing the resumption of the stalled peace talks," said Esperon.
His statement came after Malaysian Foreign Minister Rais Yatim said Malaysia would not renew its mandate in the southern Philippines when it expires on November 30.
Malaysian troops have made up the bulk of the small international monitoring team which has overseen a 2003 ceasefire between the Philippine government and separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Although the ceasefire generally still holds, fighting between government troops and factions of the heavily-armed, 12,000-strong MILF broke out in August after the Supreme Court suspended a draft accord which would have paved the way for a semi-autonomous Muslim state.
Since then, scores of people have died and more than half a million civilians have been displaced by the fighting in the south.
President Gloria Arroyo called off further talks with the rebels, saying dialogue would only resume when they had laid down their weapons.
Malaysia`s contingent recently totalled 40 troops with a dozen monitors from Japan, Libya and Brunei.
Esperon said the Philippines "profusely thanks Malaysia for heading the International Monitoring Team for four years as well as for facilitating in the conduct of the peace talks."
Meanwhile, commenting on Malaysia`s withdrawal, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement calling on the Philippine government and the MILF "to make efforts to break the deadlock with a flexible attitude and to resume the peace negotiations".
"The government of Japan has been concerned about the worsening situation" in the southern Philippines since the suspension of the draft accord, the statement added.
Source:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com (November 28, 2008)
