DEAN MARVIC LEONEN
STATEMENT OF THE CHAIR
Malacanang Palace, 5 August 2011
The President last night met with the Chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Al Haj Murad Ibrahim for about two hours.
The meeting was cordial but consisted of a frank and candid exchange of their views about the frames of the continuing peace talks and some possible approaches that the parties can take to bring about a peaceful settlement. Both agreed that the implementation of any agreement should happen within the current administration. Both agreed to fast track the negotiations.
It was the President himself who sought the meeting prior to the government’s submission of its own agenda for the talks.
It should be recalled that the formal meeting set for June 27, 2011 was converted by the panels into an informal meeting. It was during that meeting that the panels discussed the logistics for the meeting between the President and the Chair of the MILF. The GPH panel shared its proposed details and agenda. The MILF panel on the other hand communicated the view of their Central Committee that the offer for a meeting at that level was a “grand gesture” on the part of government. They also mentioned that it was an “honor” that this historical meeting was going to take place.
Only the President, Chair Murad and their note takers were in the meeting room. The meeting was informal. The meeting helps the formal negotiations between the panels of both sides. It will facilitate its progress.
This is the first time that a President meets with the Chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front since the negotiations commenced about 14 years ago.
The President was accompanied to the meeting place by the Secretaries of National Defense, Budget and Management, Finance as well as the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, the Presidential Spokesperson and the Chair of the GPH Negotiating Panel.
Chair Murad was accompanied to the meeting place by some members of the Central Committee, the Chair of their negotiating panel and some base commanders.
To ensure the security of the participants and provide the necessary environment free from any agenda which would cloud the discussions, the meeting took place in the suburbs of Tokyo. The President arrived in Japan at about 6 in the evening, yesterday, August 4, Thursday and left to return to Manila at about 10 o’clock in the morning of August 5, today. We just arrived. The meeting took place at about 8:30 in the evening, after Iftar. This Presidential trip to Japan was unofficial.
The next formal meeting of the parties will be scheduled within the month of August, about the 3rd week of August.
We thank Japan for providing the facilities consistent with their longstanding commitment to peace as shown in their membership in the International Contact Group, as well as the Malaysian facilitator for assisting with arrangements between the two parties for this historic meeting.
STATEMENT OF THE CHAIR
Malacanang Palace, 5 August 2011
The President last night met with the Chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Al Haj Murad Ibrahim for about two hours.
The meeting was cordial but consisted of a frank and candid exchange of their views about the frames of the continuing peace talks and some possible approaches that the parties can take to bring about a peaceful settlement. Both agreed that the implementation of any agreement should happen within the current administration. Both agreed to fast track the negotiations.
It was the President himself who sought the meeting prior to the government’s submission of its own agenda for the talks.
It should be recalled that the formal meeting set for June 27, 2011 was converted by the panels into an informal meeting. It was during that meeting that the panels discussed the logistics for the meeting between the President and the Chair of the MILF. The GPH panel shared its proposed details and agenda. The MILF panel on the other hand communicated the view of their Central Committee that the offer for a meeting at that level was a “grand gesture” on the part of government. They also mentioned that it was an “honor” that this historical meeting was going to take place.
Only the President, Chair Murad and their note takers were in the meeting room. The meeting was informal. The meeting helps the formal negotiations between the panels of both sides. It will facilitate its progress.
This is the first time that a President meets with the Chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front since the negotiations commenced about 14 years ago.
The President was accompanied to the meeting place by the Secretaries of National Defense, Budget and Management, Finance as well as the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, the Presidential Spokesperson and the Chair of the GPH Negotiating Panel.
Chair Murad was accompanied to the meeting place by some members of the Central Committee, the Chair of their negotiating panel and some base commanders.
To ensure the security of the participants and provide the necessary environment free from any agenda which would cloud the discussions, the meeting took place in the suburbs of Tokyo. The President arrived in Japan at about 6 in the evening, yesterday, August 4, Thursday and left to return to Manila at about 10 o’clock in the morning of August 5, today. We just arrived. The meeting took place at about 8:30 in the evening, after Iftar. This Presidential trip to Japan was unofficial.
The next formal meeting of the parties will be scheduled within the month of August, about the 3rd week of August.
We thank Japan for providing the facilities consistent with their longstanding commitment to peace as shown in their membership in the International Contact Group, as well as the Malaysian facilitator for assisting with arrangements between the two parties for this historic meeting.
