Fabian asks Mindanao peace negotiators to be transparent

District 2 Congressman Erbie A. Fabian yesterday urged the government negotiating panel to be transparent and be open for dialogues and consultations in its ongoing peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF),
Fabian said the resumption of peace negotiations with the MILF is a welcome development since the national government is serious in ending the armed conflict and secessionist movement in Mindanao. However he cautioned the GRP panel to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Constitution in all its dealings and negotiations with their MILF counterparts.

?Of course as concerned Mindanaoans, we all desire for a genuine and lasting peace by ending the decade-long secessionist movement and armed conflict in this region but we also want to make it clear that any agreement entered into by the GRP-MILF panels should be within the framework of Constitution and more so based on the will of the people,? Fabian told reporters in an interview yesterday.The congressman said that in the first place any development in the peace talks with the MILF should be made public as it is of high public interest.?Our government negotiators should also bear in mind the need to conduct regular dialogues and consultations with the different stakeholders more particularly Mindanao leaders who more or less know better on the real situation in the region,? Fabian emphasized.He added that past negotiations between the GRP and MILF panels have not been successful since government negotiators failed to consult with the Mindanao leaders especially local government units like Zamboanga City, North Cotabato, Isabela City, Iligan, among others.?Aside from meeting and consulting with Mindanao leaders for more inputs in the peace talks, our government negotiating panel should also hold consultations with the people especially those living in areas that are the subject for the negotiations,? Fabian said.Last year, Congressman Fabian, Mayor Celso Lobregat and Congresswoman Maria Isabelle Climaco Salazar joined other Mindanao leaders in strongly opposing the proposed Bangsamoro Juridical Identity.Fabian with North Cotabato Vice Governor Many Piñol filed petitions with the Supreme Court against the proposed BJE, which eventually was declared illegal and unconstitutional by the High Tribunal.The congressman said that as far as Zamboanga City is concerned he will personally remind government peace negotiators that the city remains consistent in its stand of not in anyway be part of any kind of juridical identity. ? Jemuel E. Mojica

Via Zamboanga Times