As the peace panels of both the Philippine government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) meet in Kuala Lumpur, the Mindanao Peace Weavers (MPW), together with its constituents, allied networks and organizations remain hopeful that contentious issues surrounding the substantial points of the proposed comprehensive peace agreement will be clarified and a common draft will be crafted sooner than later that will eventually lead to a negotiated political settlement of the centuries-old conflict in Mindanao.

The MPW view with optimism the recent efforts of both sides to reach out to each other and even beyond its own constituencies in order to generate feedback, provide information and clarification on relevant issues in the peace negotiations affecting various stakeholders in the country. We salute the efforts to consult various stakeholders including those who have traditionally been hostile or cynical of the peace process. More importantly, we welcome the two parties’ inclusive attitude towards the role of civil society in the peace process. This indeed augers well for peace in the land.

While there remain a number of stumbling blocs and sticky issues surrounding the peace talks and the proposed peace agreement, we believe that political will, statesmanship and transparency are very critical elements for the successful conclusion of the GPH-MILF peace process. We believe that both parties do not have a surfeit of these qualities. We thus urge both parties to remain firm and steadfast in their commitment to finding a peaceful and just solution to the conflict.