In the first meeting of the Philippine government and Muslim rebels since their peace pact was postponed in spite of fears of new fighting, the international ceasefire monitors have been extended.
According to Yahoo News, because of the fact that the Philippine Congress has failed to pass a Muslim Autonomy bill, Miriam Coronel- Ferrer, the Philippine government's negotiator and her rebel counterpart, Mohagher Iqbal, both expressed their disappointment. The said bill was required on a 2014 peace pact which ended the fights in Mindanao, the southern part of the Philippines.
The one-year extension of the Malaysian- led monitors mission was agreed by the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front despite the delays. The mission of Malaysian- led monitors has helped in the ceasefire. A joint group which allowed the Islamic rebels to help the government authorities in capturing terrorists and criminals were kept in place.
With the setback in the peace process, many hoped that the measures would help prevent any uprising of rebel frustrations which would lead to violence. As reported by ABC News, Mohagher Iqbal had said that with the delays, guerrillas had been anxious. The uncertainty might be exploited by the radicals who were against the peace deal.
The peace deal was not passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate even until their last regular session. The bill was aimed to build a more powerful and larger autonomous region for some Muslims in Mindanao.
The bill was postponed by the ire regarding the killing of the 44 police commandos early last year. The 44 police commandos were involved in a fight against some of the guerrillas of the main rebel group. The new bill would be presented by the next president of the Philippines after the six- year term of President Benigno Aquino III ends in June.
