Press Release
September 1, 2009

Stakeholders Want Active Participation In Peace Talks with MILF

Senator Rodolfo G Biazon today said that the consensus arrived at during the Zamboanga City "Stakeholders Hearing" on Resolution No. 1281 recommending the suspension of the resumption of the peace talks with the MILF last Friday, August 28, 2009 conducted by the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security jointly with the Senate Committee on Justice, Peace and Unification are the following:

1. General acceptance that the peace process must continue but that a suspension of the peace talks should first be effected pending clarity of the guidelines on the ground;

2. The stakeholders should be actively represented by allowing them to give their opinion on issues, influence the direction of the agreement and be given the assurance of transparency during the talks;

3. Malaysia is not the right facilitator for the talks because of concerns of impartiality due to conflicting interests between the Philippines and Malaysia over Sabah and Kalayaan island group claims. This was strongly emphasized by former ARMM Governor Nur Misuari, a signatory of three international agreements between the GRP and the MNLF - the 1976 Tripoli Agreement, 1987 the Jeddah Accord and the 1996 Jakarta Final Agreement.

The "Stakeholders" who attended and shared their sentiments were: 1st District of Zamboanga Congresswoman Isabela G. Climaco, former ARMM Governor Nur Misuari, Basilan Governor Jum A. Akbar, North Cotabato Vice Governor Emmanuel Pinol, Zamboanga City Mayor Celso L. Lobregat, Zamboanga Vice Mayor Manuel Dalipe Jr, Kusog Mindanao Convenor Fr. Eliseo Mercado, Mindanao People's Caucus chair Representative Pastor Reu Montecillo, Western Mindanao State University President Dr. Grace J. Rebollos, Ateneo de Zamboanga University Student Council President Christian E. Olasiman, Western Mindanao State University Student Council President Joseph Van Bue, Inititative for International Dialogue Solidarity Officer Atty Maria Asis, and Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society representative Atty Pherham Saiddi.

Aside from the Sabah ownership issue, Zamboanga Congresswoman Climaco reported on the mistreatment of overstaying Filipinos in Sabah.

The "Stakeholders" hearing in Zamboanga was a continuation of the one held last August 24, 2009 at the Senate where members of the Executive department were invited as resource persons.

Biazon said the next hearing is intended for the Executive officials and others who failed to attend during the August 24, 2009 hearing.

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