Malaysian PM "disappointed" by failure of Philippines peace deal
Posted: 15 September 2008 1746 hrs

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MANILA - Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has expressed disappointment over the collapse of a peace deal between the Philippines government and Muslim rebels, a senior official said Monday.

Badawi spoke of his disappointment during a meeting with Philippines chief peace negotiator Hermogenes Esperon.

Malaysia has played a key role as moderator in the talks, which have lasted more than 10 years.

A draft peace agreement between the Philippines and the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was scrapped by the government in Manila, initiating widespread unrest in Muslim Mindanao last month.

"The prime minister of Malaysia expressed disappointment over the non-signing," in a meeting between the two over the weekend, Esperon said.

"Upon our explanation, the prime minister readily agreed that the government must protect its people... so the prime minister understands why we have to conduct police actions against the perpetrators of the attacks," Esperon added.

The draft agreement, completed in peace talks facilitated by Malaysia, would have led to the creation of an expanded autonomous area for the Muslim minority in the southern Philippines.

Esperon said the government was still working with Malaysia to re-establish talks with the MILF, adding that Manila was also considering direct contact with the rebel group.

Esperon said the government had asked a Malaysian facilitator to "relay specific items to the MILF leadership," namely that "the peace process continues," and that the MILF leadership should turn over two renegade commanders responsible for recent attacks.

Military chief General Alexander Yano said the MILF forces had "splintered, broken up into small groups and shifted into guerrilla warfare," so that while there were no more major battles, "almost daily, there are small encounters."

The government is observing a 2003 ceasefire with the MILF leadership but has said operations against the commanders behind the attacks will continue until they are captured.

The 12,000-strong MILF has been fighting for a separate Islamic state since 1978. - AFP/vm