By Patricio P. Diaz

(3. Leonen’s Past Opening Statements)

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, April 13, 2012 – As the opening statements of Government and MILF chief negotiators during their 26th Exploratory Talks last March 19 to 21 show, the difference of their positions is so wide that a stalemate impends. Beyond their mutual determination to stay on course, are the parties softening in their positions? A review of their past opening statements will show.

By Patricio P. Diaz | Friday| March 30 - 31, 2012

(I. From Joint Statements)

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, March 28, 2012 – Will the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH nee GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) be able to sign a peace agreement by the end of this month or by the end of 2012? There is no sign.

By Patricio P. Diaz | Friday| November 18, 2011

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – In Tuesday’s posting of Luwaran, the MILF official on-line publication, there was a story, “Japan-funded BLMI Center to rise soon”, complete with a picture of a two-story building under construction in Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. According to the report:

By Patricio P. Diaz | Sunday| November 13, 2011

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — In a situation-saving balancing act, President Aquino III countered his “no to all-out war” option with “all-out justice” for the 19 SF troopers. In so doing under conflicting circumstances, he equivocated to reassure the majority of the soundness of his leadership – appeasing the angry among them – and to strengthen the morale and loyalty of the Armed Forces. He is up to a “win-win” game.