PH extends well wishes to PM Najib

THE PHILIPPINES yesterday conveyed its well wishes to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on his reelection following Malaysia’s 13th general elections on Sunday.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) congratulated Najib and cited his role in the Mindanao peace process.

“We value Prime Minister Najib’s personal commitment to the GPH-MILF peace talks and the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, and we will continue to work closely with him in our common aspiration for peace and security,” the DFA said.

“We look forward to the further deepening of our bilateral relations and continuing our close cooperation, especially in the areas of socioeconomic growth and the welfare of our peoples,” the DFA added.

The statement was silent, however, on the standoff between Malaysian forces and followers of the sultanate of Sulu in Sabah, a Malaysian-controlled territory that was considered a swing state in the elections with the crisis becoming a contentious issue among the rival Malaysian parties.

Government chief peace negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, meanwhile, said yesterday Malaysia would continue in its role as the third party facilitator in the peace talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) regardless of who won the election.

“Whatever governing coalition emerges from this election, the leadership will continue to be interested in playing (a) third party role. As far as foreign policy is concerned, they will not veer away from that,” said Ferrer at the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (Focap) forum in Makati City.

Formal exploratory talks between the government and the MILF will resume after the May 13 Philippine elections.

Amid recent rough sailing in the negotiations, particularly concerning the wealth-sharing annex, Ferrer expressed confidence both panels would be able to complete the annexes to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and sign a comprehensive peace agreement by July.

“There have been negative comments (from the MILF) but we know they are just as committed (to a peace deal),” said Ferrer.