Indonesia vows help in dealing with MNLF

Paterno R. Esmaquel II

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

President Aquino, in turn, invites his Indonesian counterpart to visit the Philippines

'CONSTANT FRIEND.' Philippine President Benigno Aquino III (L) is greeted by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (R) during the gala dinner at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Summit in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, Oct 7, 2013. Photo by EPA/Made Nagi/Pool

MANILA, Philippines – Described as a “constant friend” by the Philippine president, Indonesia vowed to help the Philippine government resolve its issues with the rebel group Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, in turn, invited Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to visit the Philippines. Yudhoyono proposed visiting the Philippines in 2014, Aquino told reporters Monday, October 7.

“They have been a very constant friend. I can even attest to the fact that Indonesia as a people, during my mother’s time, was helping us already address the issue with MNLF,” said Aquino, the son of former president Corazon Aquino.

“So imagine how many decades have passed and they are still here,” he said. “They haven’t gotten tired of helping us and they have, in fact, reiterated their desire to continue helping us as far as that aspect is concerned.”

Aquino met with Yudhoyono on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Indonesia. He met with other world leaders, such as Peruvian President Ollanta Humala, whom he also invited to visit the Philippines.

PH, Indonesia on MNLF

Indonesia brokered the successful peace talks between the Ramos administration and the MNLF, which led to the signing of a peace deal in Jakarta in September 1996.

It is currently hosting talks to review the agreement’s implementation.

Indonesia, in fact, called for a peaceful resolution of the MNLF’s Zamboanga siege last September.

Emmanuel Fontanilla, spokesman of MNLF founding chair Nur Misuari, had repeatedly said Indonesia should serve as a 3rd-party mediator to resolve the Zamboanga conflict. The Philippine government, however, had clarified the MNLF didn’t formally request Indonesia to intervene in the crisis.

Indonesia also heads the peace committee of the Organization on Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The OIC also condemned the violence in Zamboanga City. – Rappler.com

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Paterno R. Esmaquel II

Paterno R. Esmaquel II, news editor of Rappler, specializes in covering religion and foreign affairs. He finished MA Journalism in Ateneo and MSc Asian Studies (Religions in Plural Societies) at RSIS, Singapore. For story ideas or feedback, email pat.esmaquel@rappler.com