Malaysian Armed Forces To Send IMT-M To Philippines Even If Peace Agreement Signed

PETALING JAYA (Selangor, Malaysia), March 12 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) will still send an International Monitoring Team-Mindanao (IMT-M) to the Philippines even if the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) sign a peace agreement. MAF Chief, General Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said if a peace agreement were to be signed between the two parties, it did not mean that the IMT task was over. "So far, Alhamdulillah, I notice that the ceasefire agreement is being adhered to by both parties. There is no battle nor conflict. This encourages the peace process and cordial talks between the Philippines and the MILF. "Although the peace agreement is expected to be signed during the despatch of the IMT-M7, it does not mean that the task of the IMT is over. "It probably still needs monitoring to ensure that both parties comply with the terms stated in the agreement signed," he said. He said this to reporters after witnessing the sending off of the IMT-M7 at the Air Movement Centre, Subang Air Base, near here. The IMT-M7 will continue the mission, replacing the IMT-M6 which had served for one year beginning March 12 last year. The involvement of the MAF in the IMT-M began on Sept 9, 2004 to monitor the ceasefire and the peace agreement signed between the two conflicting parties. -- BERNAMA