January 14, 2002, INQ7, MILF, gov't agree on local teams to monitor ceasefire, by Lira Dalangin,

January 14, 2002, INQ7, MILF, gov't agree on local teams to monitor ceasefire, by Lira Dalangin,  

Posted: 4:00 PM (Manila Time)

THE GOVERNMENT and the Muslim separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have agreed to set up local monitoring teams to ensure compliance with the ceasefire and rehabilitation agreement they signed in August.

The agreement, contained in a joint communique issued on Aug. 7, calls for a halt to the fighting, normalization in the conflict areas in Mindanao, and relief, rehabilitation and development programs.

"The local monitoring teams would hopefully strengthen the ceasefire agreement," MILF spokesperson Eid Kabalu told INQ7.net Monday.

Representatives of government and MILF negotiating panels met Saturday in Cotabato City on the composition of the monitoring teams, which will include representatives of local government units, two non-government organizations, and the religious sector.

MILF commander Taps Julhani and Army Colonel Romeo Caliza will head the respective monitoring teams, Kabalu said.

The negotiating panels have also urged representatives of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), the influential group Muslim-led nations -- especially Malaysia, Libya, and Indonesia -- to "observe and monitor" the ceasefire as well as the implementation of an agreement contained in a joint communique the two sides issued on Aug. 7.

Kabalu said the panels would meet again in Feb. 11 on putting the monitoring teams into operation.

Kabalu said MILF fighters would defend themselves when attacked. Government troops and the MILF engaged in brief skirmishes last year despite the ceasefire agreement.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had initiated talks with the Muslim separatist group early in her year-old administration, in a sharp departure from the policy of ousted president Joseph Estrada who adopted an all-out war policy against the MILF.