Philippine Muslim rebels urge international community to address impasse on peace

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front ( MILF) urged Tuesday the international community, particularly the International Contact Group (ICG), to help on how to fast track the peace negotiations with the Aquino administration. The MILF, the largest Muslim rebel group in the Philippines, said that many observers are now assessing the situation on the stalled peace process between them and the Philippine government. "The international community particularly the International Contact Group should enter into the scene and see what they can do to fast track the negotiation," the rebel group said. The ICG, established in 2009, is comprised of Japan, the United Kingdom, Turkey and Saudi Arabia and international non-government organizations such as the Muhammadiyah, The Asia Foundation, the HD Center and Conciliation Resources. The ICG is mandated to maintain trust between the government and the MILF and to ensure the implementation of mutually agreed approaches. The MILF warned that an impasse or too much delay in forging a comprehensive compact agreement will make people on the ground doubt the sincerity of the government. "A deadlock at this point in time is disastrous to the peace process and the government side is to blame. The peace process should not be likened to a meticulously crafted 'castle made of sand' that easily crumbled when slightly hit by a wind," the MILF said.