Deles: Nov. talks with MILF to continue despite clash

Source: gmanews.tv

Despite a deadly clash between government and secessionist forces in Basilan in Mindanao, the Aquino administration will continue preparing for the next round of peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in November, a Malacañang adviser said..

In an interview over radio dwIZ on Thursday, presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles said: "There is a mechanism to investigate what happened and find out what can be done to avoid a repeat of the incident. In the meantime, our preparations for the next round of talks will continue."

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III has already ordered a full probe of the incident where 19 soldiers were killed.

Although there is no definite date yet for the next round of talks, Deles said the government expects the talks to resume by November.

She said the Malaysian facilitator is shuttling between both sides to get them to agree to a definite date.

"Pabalik-balik ang facilitator, may proposed date, handa tayong tanggapin. Inaasahan natin by next month magkakaroon ng pag-uusap," she said.

The MILF earlier said the killing happened after soldiers allegedly intruded into their territory.

However, on Twitter, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the "soldiers are aware of MILF Areas of Temporary Stay (ATS) as per ceasefire agreement."

The AFP insisted that the location of the clash between government and rebel troops on Monday was four kilometers away from the MILF's ATS.

The "units did not intrude," the AFP insisted.

"Isolated incident"

Deles said, "Alam natin ito pinatitingnan ng Pangulo at hinihintay natin ang full report ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)."

In the meantime, the government and the MILF can avail of the ceasefire mechanisms where both parties can lodge complaints against each other, she said.

For now, Deles and government peace panel head Marvic Leonen regard the recent clash as an "isolated event."

“We are confident that the current mechanisms for monitoring violations of the ceasefire agreement are in place and are effectively working," Leonen said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Leonen said the clash “was not intended by both the government and the MILF."

Complaints about the clash

Deles said, "From what I know, both the AFP and the MILF will lodge complaints regarding the clash. There is a mechanism that should be addressed by the Joint Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities."

Deles said her office has yet to receive word from the Malaysian facilitator or the International Monitoring Team that monitors the ceasefire on the matter.

She admitted that the incident could be a cause of concern for foreign allies of the peace process.

"As of now officially walang ipinapaabot ang facilitator pero alam natin lahat na pag may insidenteng ganito nagagambala," she said.