October 2, 2012 News: The 32nd GPH-MILF Exploratory Talks, which was earlier scheduled on September 25-28, will start today at the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, with both sides expecting a hard bargaining on the issues of territory, internal security force and police, and wealth-sharing.

This meeting is a four-day exercise, which will end on October 5.

Before he departed for Kuala Lumpur, Jun Mantawil, head of the MILF peace panel secretariat, told Luwaran that while the MILF has no timetable in signing the Framework Agreement but the sooner to have it the better.

“Who wants to prolong this peace process if we can have it concluded soon and get what is good for everybody? he asked.

He said the Moros want a good agreement that could make difference in their lives especially for the next generations.

Former Dean Marvic Leonen will head the government peace delegation, while Mohagher Iqbal will lead the MILF peace delegation.

The other members of the government peace panel are Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, former Secretary Senen Bacani, Dr. Hamid Barra, and Bai Yasmin Busran-Lao, while that of the MILF are Atty. Michel Mastura, Prof. Abhoud Syed Lingga, Maulana Bobby Alonto, and Abdulla Camlian. Datu Antonio Kinoc, alternate panel member, will also join the MILF delegation.

The government and MILF peace delegations will also bring with them their respective Technical Working Groups (TWGs) on Power-Sharing and Wealth-Sharing. Their respective secretariats will also join the meeting. Ms. Iona Jalijali chairs the government peace panel secretariat, while Jun Mantawil, who has been in this task for almost 16 years, heads the MILF’s.

Also in attendance are members of the International Contact Group (ICG) namely Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Japan, The United Kingdom, Conciliation Resources, The Asia Foundation, Muhammadiyah, and Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (HDC).