February 10th, 12:04am February 9th, 11:05pm Perseus Echeminada

The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) wanted the government to syncronize the 1996 peace accord with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Bangsamoro deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to assure that the current pact will endure.

MNLF spokesman Emmanuel Fontanilla told Daily Tribune that OIC is seeking the conclusion of the final implementation of 1996 peace agreement which was abandoned by former President Benigno Aquino in 2013.

The OIC in a resolution urged the government to link the two peace accords to attain lasting peace in Mindanao.

Fontanilla told the Daily Tribune President Rodrigo Duterte’s desire to resume peace talks with the MNLF is a good indicator on the resolution of the remaining issues in the two agreements the government had entered into with secessionist groups.

The resumption of peace talk may be focused on how to tie up the 1996 accord with the recently concluded MILF peace agreement, Fontanilla said.

The MNLF peace accord was brokered by the OIC while the agreement signed by the government and MILF had Malaysia as mediator.

The resumption of the peace talks will be confined to three unresolved issues. The government and MNLF panels were already in the final stage of striking a deal when Aquino abandoned talks with the MNLF while starting negotiations with the MILF.

Among the unresolved issues pertained to governance, wealth sharing and territory.

The 32-page 1996 peace agreement covers the Basic Rights, Rights on Sharing of Revenues for Metallic Minerals, Security, Governance, Women and the Indigenous Peoples.

The MNLF said provisions of the agreement “should not be diminished.” The group’s spokesman said the position was shared by the OIC.

Mr. Duterte earlier had said he would seek MNLF founding chairman Nur Misuari’s help in resolving the conflict in Mindanao.

“He (Duterte) considers Nur Misuari as someone, with his group, who can help in ending the conflict in Mindanao,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

Panelo added Misuari also offered to talk with the President to share many ideas that he can contribute for the peace, prosperity and progress in Mindanao.

“I relayed that to the President. And so, the President is open to talk to him with respect to whatever suggestions he has in mind,” Panelo said.

In September 2013, senior leaders of the MNLF issued a resolution asking Manila to recall a note verbale it submitted to the OIC that sought the closure of the MNLF peace agreement.

The Palace then denied that it had issued such a communication to the OIC.