News about the impending pull-out of the Malaysian contingent from the International Monitoring Team (IMT) observing the peace talks between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front has alarmed many peace advocates, Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

      “We appeal to the Malaysian government to continue supporting the peace process, to retain its membership in the IMT, for the sake of the people of Mindanao, especially the ordinary civilians,” Anak Mindanao Representative Mujiv Hataman said as he joined the call for Malaysia’s retention in the IMT.

      Hataman reiterated that the intervention of the Malaysian government in the seven-year old peace talks greatly contributed to the institution of ceasefire mechanisms and the cessation of hostilities, and the significant decrease in the number of violations committed by the GRP and the MILF against each other thus creating a more conducive atmosphere for negotiations.

      “We cannot blame Malaysia if they decide to withdraw, the peace talks has been stalled many times since the agenda centered on the issue of ancestral domain. It is indeed disheartening to note that after successfully reaching interim agreements on the first two main issues in the peace talks - security and rehabilitation, the talks are now going back to square one. The sincerity of the parties is rightfully under question,” Hataman argued.

      However, the Muslim solon stressed that this should not cause the members of the IMT from discontinuing their engagement in the peace process. “It is an unquestioned fact that since the institution of the IMT, many lives have been saved from unnecessary hostilities and war in Mindanao. We therefore plead to the Malaysian government to stay, if only to continue saving lives.”