MILF Issue Tops Chong's
Meeting With Philippines Senior Officials
KOTA KINABALU, March 18 (Bernama) -- The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)'s
agenda in the southern Philippines took priority in
yesterday's discussion between Chief Minister Datuk Chong Kah Kiat
and Filipino senior officials.
Sabah Chief Minister Department's
Press and Publication Division said in a statement here Tuesday that Chong was assured by the Philippines that the situation in
the southern Philippines was under control
following the tightening of security there.
Senior Consultant for Mindanao Paul G Dominquez told Chong
that only a certain quarter of MILF members were continuing with their
struggles for independence while the majority had conformed to an earlier peace
agreement signed with the government.
"They (MILF) realized that it is futile as they will never win in the Philippines in this day," it
quoted Dominguez, who is also the President Assistant on BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines -- East Asean Growth Area).
He also thanked the Malaysian government for its role in working with the Philippines towards resolving the
decade-long conflict.
The Malaysian Armed Forces is on the look out for MILF members trying to enter Sabah in the light of a recent
flare-up in the southern Philippines.
On the Abu Sayyaf group in Jolo
and Basilan, Dominguez said the Philippines military personnel were
in the process of "cleansing" the islands to wipe out the pirates
responsible for having attacked resorts in Palawan and Sipadan.
Both parties agreed to coordinate security and patrolling in southern Philippines, particularly in areas
bordering the Sabah's coastline.
Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo also conveyed to the Malaysian government
the undertaking for an early solution, said Dominguez.
Former Philippines Ambassador to Malaysia
Jose Brillantes, now the Department of Foreign
Affairs Undersecretary and Palawan Chamber of
Commerce and Industry President Vicente Tan, also attended the meeting.
Chong's delegation included Sabah
Police Commissioner Datuk Ramli
Yusoff and Brigadier-General Datuk
Muhamad Yassin Yahya of the Fifth Infantry Brigade.
-- BERNAMA