Optimism over peace deal with Muslim rebels

The Philippines is optimistic of signing a peace agreement with Muslim rebels within a year after the guerrillas cut the scope of the territories they claim, a government official said.
Marvic Leonen, government chief negotiator, said a proposal by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) during two days of talks in Malaysia reduced the territory it is seeking to only about 9 per cent of its historical claims.
Leonen did not give details about the territories the MILF claims, but said the proposal also included a wealth-sharing scheme between the national government and the proposed Muslim autonomous region.
Leonen added that the rebels do not seek independence nor secession from the Philippines.
‘It proposes recognition of a Bangsamoro identity while maintaining Filipino citizenship. It defines a territory which is 7 or 9 per cent only of their historical claims,’ he said.
‘One year is a reasonable period to come up with a fundamental agreement on a politically negotiated settlement with the MILF.’
The two sides agreed to meet again on March 29 and 30.
Peace talks bogged down in 2008 after the guerrillas seized villages due to the failure to sign ab agreement that would have expanded the area covered by an autonomous Muslim region in the southern Mindanao islands.
More than 300 people were killed and more than 1 million more displaced in subsequent clashes between the rebels and government troops which lasted for several months.
The 12,000-strong MILF has been fighting for an independent Islamic state since 1978. It first entered into peace talks with the government in 1997.