DAVAO CITY, Davao del Sur,
Philippines -- The head of the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF) said on Saturday that
there was a bright prospect for peace in
Mindanao as his group was slated to resume
negotiations with the Philippine government.
Ebrahim Murad said in a press statement
posted at the pro-MILF luwaran.com that the
“most civilized and practical way” to solve the
Moro problem was through a “negotiated political
settlement” between the MILF and the Philippine
government.
He said the MILF, which broke away from the
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) of Nur
Misuari in the 1980s, was ready to resume the
stalled formal peace talks with the government
anytime.
The negotiations was to take place this month
but Malacanang said Kuala Lumpur, which has been
serving as the third country mediator, might
move it to November because of the fasting month
of Ramadan, which starts on Oct. 16.
"[The MILF] is also ready to sign with the
government a negotiated political solution that
is just, lasting and comprehensive
in order to terminate the age-old conflict in
Mindanao," Murad said.
Murad is scheduled to appear before a select
group of reporters in an undisclosed place in
Maguindanao on Saturday and would issue the same
statement.
Murad, who served as chief peace negotiator
during the reign of Salamat Hashim, is holding
his first major press conference since assuming
the MILF leadership.