Government peace negotiators meeting the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Malaysia yesterday submitted a “three for one” proposal for peace in Mindanao that chief government negotiator Marvic Leonen described as “honestly different” from that submitted by the rebel group.

Leonen said the proposal includes “three important components for one solution” to the lengthy armed conflict in Mindanao: a political settlement or a peace accord with the MILF; massive economic development in Mindanao; and cultural-historical acknowledgement.

Leonen denied reports that the government is ready to sign a peace deal with the MILF this week.

“Contrary to claims of critics, the [Philippine] panel is not going to Malaysia to sign a peace agreement. We have learned from the lessons of the past and we will not repeat the same mistakes,” he said in a statement.

Government and MILF representatives are meeting in Malaysia from August 22 to 24 to review the government proposal and seek clarifications of its contents.

“The next step is for both panels, in the spirit of transparency and inclusivity, to consult with the stakeholders so we can forge a peace agreement. As nothing yet is final,” Leonen said.

An alliance of Moros and Christians called on the government yesterday to be transparent in the talks.

“Any peace negotiation conducted in secrecy, if not highly guarded, and without the people’s support is doomed to fail,” said the Moro Christian People’s Alliance (MCPA) in a statement.

President Benigno Aquino met in secret with MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim in Japan on August 4 to discuss the ongoing peace negotiations. Both have been silent on the details of the meeting.

“It is a moral obligation of the Aquino government to be transparent about its plan, ways and actions on how to address and resolve the decades-long armed conflict in Mindanao,” the MCPA statement said.

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