COTABATO CITY - Six Muslim congressmen on Thursday met Moro Islamic Liberation Front leaders somewhere in the jungles of Maguindanao, and discussed issues affecting Mindanao ahead of the formal talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Lakas Rep. Simeon Datumanong of Maguindanao, who led the delegation, said on Friday that the legislators’ meeting with MILF chairman al-Haj Ibrahim Murad has the approval of President Arroyo.

“Our purpose in meeting with them is to help facilitate the resolution of issues considered to be stumbling blocks in the peace process. As representatives of people affected by the hostilities, we must exert efforts to help resolve the problems in Mindanao,” Datumanong said.

“The leadership of the MILF assured us that they are interested in resolving the problem as soon as possible,” he added.

The main concerns at the meeting include the question of ancestral domain, demobilization of MILF forces and their integration into the Armed Forces, and the holding of a referendum by the United Nations.

In earlier negotiations, Datumanong claimed that there are some difficulties on the resolution of issues before the September 2, 1996, final peace agreement was signed between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front.

“We were even consulted in Congress at the time. We in Congress were able to help resolve these problems. Whatever we can do, we will be willing to do, so that our people will have peace and better opportunities for livelihood,” Datumanong explained.

The talks between the government and the MILF are expected to resume on October 10 in Malaysia.