Koncz to negotiate Pacquiao’s fight

By NICK GIONGCO Manila, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao has given his Canadian adviser Mike Koncz the marching orders to begin exploratory talks with Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum regarding the staging of his much-awaited ring return in September. As Pacquiao is neck-deep in the buildup for the May elections, Koncz is slowly laying the groundwork on the Filipino’s first fight since... 

No date!

They were supposed to have dinner Wednesday (Thursday in the Philippines) but Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum and Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez have both agreed to move their meeting next week. “Juan Manuel asked that the meeting be moved because he is all tied up,“ said Arum, noting that the meeting will take place in Las Vegas.  Read More »

Peace talks postponed due to state funeral

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have decided to postpone their new round of peace talks in Malaysia to early September because of the upcoming state funeral, the rebel group said on Saturday.  Read More »

Muslim leaders slam BIFM attacks

By ALI G. MACABALANG · MALU CADELINA MANAR COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Muslim leaders condemned yesterday the simultaneous attacks by recalcitrant Moro rebels on villages in seven towns of Maguindanao and North Cotabato, saying the assault “is an utter disrespect of Islam’s holy month of Ramadhan.  Read More »

Gov’t-MILF talks in KL end

Manila, Philippines – The 28th formal exploratory talks between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) officially concluded Wednesday with both sides agreeing to go back to their principals and further refine their positions on the substantive agenda.  Read More »

Government optimistic on peace talks

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Despite difficulties teeming with fears for stalemate in the government peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the state panel remains “optimistic” that the thorny negotiations would move forward fruitfully. The two panels concluded their 26th round of formal exploratory talks in Malaysia on Wednesday, approving a request from the... 

OIC named observer in peace process

Manila, Philippines – Both panels of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have approved the application of the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as observer in the 15-year-old Mindanao peace process. So, the next time the two parties meet as follow up to the three-day 26th Round of Formal Exploratory Talks that concluded... 

Gov’t, MILF urged to redouble efforts to find last peace

Manila, Philippines – Government of the Philippines (GPH) Peace Panel Chairman Marvic Leonen urged on Monday the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to redouble their efforts so that a lasting peace agreement could soon be achieved by both parties. Leonen made the declaration during the opening of the 26th formal exploratory talks between the government and MILF in Kuala Lumpur,... 

Another gov’t-MILF meeting slated

Manila, Philippines – Negotiators of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are scheduled to continue finding ways to resolve “substantive issues” leading to a comprehensive peace pact during the 26th Formal Exploratory Meeting set tentatively from March 19 to 21 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A source privy to the peace process... 

ARMM Governors Back GPH Peace

Manila, Philippines – Maguindanao Gov. Datu Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu and four other chief executives of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have expressed their support to the government’s peace processes with Muslim organizations, such as the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Mangudadatu, Governors...