Moro rebels declined to attend a two-day peace summit

Moro rebels declined to attend a two-day peace summit that started on Monday in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), saying the event was purely a government initiative.

Muhammad Ameen, central committee secretariat chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said that while they recognize the good intention behind the event, they would rather focus on the peace talks.

“The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is not even the result of the [Government of the Philippines-Moro National Liberation Front] peace negotiations, but a baby of then President Corazon Aquino in 1987," he सैद on the MILF website, noting the venue of the event, Cotabato City, which is under ARMM.

He said they considered the peace summit to be in the ambit of government’s initiative, adding that the MILF — the largest secessionist organization in the country — will only participate in the negotiation track that is the being held under the third party facilitation of the Malaysian government.

According to the MILF, its chairman Al-Haj Murad was invited to the summit, “but he politely explained to the bearer of the invitation why the MILF cannot give way to such kind invitation."

Organizers of the two-day summit said the event will discuss issues affecting peace and development in the troubled region of Mindanao. They also aim to craft a regional agenda containing recommended solutions.

The summit is aimed at helping to create a paradigm for peace and development thrusts that may serve as reference of the Aquino administration and the MILF in their imminent resumption of peace talks.

Participants include various concerned sectors, including foreign and national dignitaries.
Also invited were envoys from Malaysia, Indonesia, and other countries belonging to the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

Colorful Moro banners and fliers were placed around the summit venue inside the ARMM government complex and along the highway leading to the site “to make the atmosphere very conducive to talking peace," said Romeo Sema, a summit working committee member and a key leader of the Moro National Liberation Front.