Peace still possible in Philippines despite agreement scrapping
Updated
![Escalating violence has paralleled an escalation in a war of words between the Philippines government and Muslim separatist movement the MILF. [AFP]](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/img/news/base/phils_troops_afp_170808.jpg?<BR> "Escalating violence has paralleled an escalation in a war of words between the Philippines government and Muslim separatist movement the MILF. [AFP]")
Escalating violence has paralleled an escalation in a war of words between the Philippines government and Muslim separatist movement the MILF. [AFP]
Philippine government and Muslim separatist representatives say peace is still possible in the country's south despite President Gloria Arroyo cancelling a draft peace agreement.
Radio Australia's Connect Asia program reports that escalating violence in the province of Cotabato has been mirrored in a war of words between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Philippines president.
In the past two weeks, fighting is estimated to have killed more than 50 people, and around 160,000 people fled their homes.
MILF rebels have occupied areas that would come under an 'ancestral domain' agreement.
But the agreement has been stalled by the Supreme Court, as opponents to the deal, which include Catholic residents, challenge its constitutionality.
MILF negotiator and constitutional lawyer, Michael Mastura, told Connect Asia recent events have not caused a breakdown in negotations.
"The government is very careful as they are doing this as a restoration in light of their failure to lift the case in the Supreme Court," he said.
"They are shifting in strategy as they say."
The MILF says the July memorandum of agreement still stands, and Michael Mastura questions the Supreme Court's temporary restraining order given the draft nature of the agreement.
"It is strange that this should be an object of judicial decision because it is premature.
"There is nothing to enforce as of this stage," he said.
President Arroyo cancelled the draft, which reportedly prompted MILF chief negotiator Mohaqher Iqbal to call off all peace negotiations.
Mr Iqbal says the rebels have wasted more than three years formulating the memorandum.
Executive Secretary to the president, Eduardo Ermita, agrees with Michael Mastura, however, that negotiations have not collapsed all together.
"There was supposed to be a signing of memorandum of agreement last August 5 in Kuala Lumpur," he told Connect Asia.
"That did not happen because it was overtaken by a temporary restraining order issued by our Supreme Court.
"(But) the government as well as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front continue to give out statements that they're sticking by the peace process," he said.
