Kidnapping should not affect talks, says Malacañang

PEACE NEGOTIATIONS between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) should not be derailed by the kidnapping and subsequent efforts to rescue Irish priest Michael Sinnott, the Palace said yesterday.

Moro rebels

The clarification was issued amid the release of intelligence reports by the Philippine National Police (PNP) which claimed that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is behind Mr. Sinnott’s kidnapping.

"We will still continue with the peace process. We don’t want to compromise the peace talks and the safety of Father Sinnott," Deputy Presidential Spokesman Lorelei C. Fajardo told reporters yesterday.

Interior Secretary Ronaldo V. Puno has alleged that the MILF’s 113^th base command led by Aloy Al Ashree was responsible for the 79-year-old Irish priest’s abduction in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur last Oct. 11, but was denied by the rebel group.

Ms. Fajardo said that while earlier attempts to negotiate with the rebel group were hampered by similar events, the peace talks should proceed.

Negotiations last year were stalled after renegade MILF elements attacked portions of Central Mindanao in August, killing scores of civilians in frustration over a botched territorial deal.

"Whether it is coincidence or not, the President is saying we cannot give up on peace. We have to hurdle the challenges," Ms. Fajardo said.

Contrary to Mr. Puno’s rejection of the rebel group’s offer to help in the release of Mr. Sinnott, Malacañang preferred otherwise.

"We will respect what the local crisis committee will decide upon. We should be thankful that the MILF has offered to help," Ms. Fajardo said, adding the MILF may show its sincerity by proving the allegations wrong.

Meeting requested

In a related development, the government’s chief negotiator has requested a meeting with the MILF leaders in an attempt to end the disagreement with Mr. Puno.

"I already sent an informal communication with my counterpart in the peace panel to talk about and end the issue, but I have yet to receive a response," said Rafael E. Seguis, the government’s peace panel chairman.

The MILF yesterday formally asked the government to correct Mr. Puno’s claim that a rebel commander is involved in the kidnapping.

"To us the meaning of [Mr. Puno’s] statement is twofold: to give zero value to the MILF’s rescue efforts and to shame the MILF before the international community especially [to the governments of the] United Kingdom and Ireland, which are both very supportive of the peace efforts in Mindanao," the statement signed by Sammil Al-Mansoor, the chief of staff of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, noted.

"To put on hold our role in the rescue mission is a difficult one to make, but we have to make it. There is no other way; otherwise we also destroy ourselves and the very foundation of the principles that the MILF stands for: respect for fellow human beings and uncompromising stance against the kidnapping in all in forms."

For his part, Mr. Seguis said the controversy will not affect the talks. "The kidnapping of Fr. Sinnott is not related to the peace talks. This could be the work of misguided scalawags. The MILF leadership has already denounced this dastardly act. I have faith and confidence in the MILF leadership to help the government in freeing Father Sinnott from his abductors whether their offer of assistance is accepted or not," he said in a text message.

He said the issue is plain banditry that the police should resolve, but maintained that the peace talks should not be affected by the situation.

Both panels, he added, are expected to resume formal talks soon with the near completion of the International Contact Group that will oversee the implementation of future peace deals.

As this developed, the crisis management committee taking charge of efforts to free Mr. Sinnott is planning to tap ulama or Islamic scholars if ever they establish negotiations with the abductors.

Allan June Molde, spokesman of the crisis management team, told BusinessWorld that the archbishop of Pagadian City, where the kidnapping took place, is communicating with other religious groups such as the Bishop-Ulama Conference on the plan.

"It’s a little strange, because until now we haven’t received a word from the abductors," Mr. Molde said, adding the kidnappers are believed hiding in the jungles of the Lanao provinces.

Meanwhile, the Palace’s peace adviser is hoping that talks with the MILF would start next month.

In a phone interview yesterday, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Annabelle T. Abaya said Mr. Sinnott and the peace talks are "different issues," adding, "Intertwining the two might endanger the peace process."

Ms. Abaya also favors the MILF’s help in rescuing the priest. "Let’s give them a chance," she said in Filipino, adding this is part of the rebel group’s "confidence-building measures."

"The focus now is on the safe rescue of the priest," she said.

Ms. Abaya noted that the government and MILF peace panels have hurdled three confidence-building measures -- suspension of military offensive in conflict areas, forging a pact to establish an international group that would ensure the implementation of all agreements, and a deal to protect civilians during conflict -- that are necessary in the resumption of formal talks.

Standing firm

Amid government assurance, Mr. Puno stood firm on his claim.

"They get mad when I say the truth. What should we do? I cannot join this conspiracy to pretend that some people are involved," he told local reporters during a visit to Zamboanga City yesterday following a closed-door meeting with the regional police force.

"If what I’m saying is not true, let them prove that I’m wrong, in whatever way they feel that is appropriate. We will leave to the government peace panel to handle all these issues. Obviously, we are not sabotaging the peace process; it is the kidnapping that sabotages the peace process."

He said they have come up with several measures to prevent misencounters with the MILF.

"I met with major commanders of the PNP and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) because we are reviewing all the agreements that are enforced with the MILF with respect to the possible problems that we will be facing in the kidnapping situation," Mr. Puno said. -- Gerard S. dela Peña, Darwin T. Wee and Adriel M. Paglinawan

Back to top

Story tools

Nation

Kidnapping should not affect talks, says Malacañang