April 4, 2012 – The full components of the Malaysia-led International Monitoring Team (IMT) – Mindanao Batch 7 made a courtesy call to the Central Committee of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF – CC) at Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao couple of days ago.

MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim warmly received and welcomed the IMT Delegation composed of contingents from the Governments of Malaysia, Brunei, Norway, and European Union (EU). The contingents from Japan were not present due to prior commitment.

Joining Chairman Murad were Ghazali Jaafar, MILF Vice Chairman for Political Affairs, Sammy Al Mansur, Chief of Staff of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), Atty. Datu Michael Mastura, Senior Member of MILF Peace Negotiating Panel, members of the MILF Central Committee, Said Shiek, Chairman of MILF CCCH, and top officials of the BIAF General Staff.

The IMT delegation was composed of H.E. MGen Dato’ Abdulrahim bin Moh’d Yusuff, IMT Head of Mission, H.E. BGen Datuk Hj Zulkapli bin Moh’d Noor, IMT Deputy Head of Mission, Capt Moh’d Ruzelme bin Ahmad Fahimi, Chief of Staff, Mr. Kjell Harila of Norway, Chief Operations Officer, Col Esmaon, Head of Brunei Contingents, IMT Team Sites Leaders from Iligan City and General Santos City, Ms. Susan Robertson and Ms Cynthia Petrigh of EU, Mohammad Idris and Johar of IMT Civilian Protection.

MGen Daot’ Abdulrahim’s Team started its one-year tour duty on March 13, 2012.

IMT that started its mission in 2004 has the mandate from both the MILF and Government of Philippines (GPH) to monitor the implementation of the security, socio-economic, civilian protection, and humanitarian, rehabilitation and development aspects of the GPH – MILF Peace Process.

Chairman Murad gave the assurances of full cooperation and support to the IMT necessary for fulfillment of the mission of IMT.

Murad conveyed the gratitude of MILF and the Bangsamoro people to all the leaders and people of the participating countries and non-government organizations with IMT.

Sammy Al Mansur, who rendered the opening remarks, said “Let me convey to the IMT officers, men and women that all of you are always welcome not only here in Camp Darapanan but more importantly in our hearts, in our minds and actions in order to ensure robust understanding, cooperation and collaboration.”

Dato’ Abdulrahim thanked MILF for the assurances of full cooperation and commitment to the peace process and negotiations.

For his part, when asked of the status of the peace talks between the government and MILF, Ghazali Jaafar said “the last exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur a couple of weeks ago was really disappointing as no substantial result was achieved due to the insistence of the government panel to make amendments to the already agreed-in-principle 11-point agenda, and the shallow or narrow presentation of the government position for wealth-sharing.”

“Pardon me for being frank, we doubt if we can sign a peace deal with this administration if the government panel is being deliberate to just playing around with words and tricks over the negotiation table,” he said.