The peace negotiating panels of the Philippine government (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have agreed to “swiftly return” the 100,000 remaining internally displaced persons (IDPs) who are still sheltered in evacuation centers in conflict-torn Mindanao as the two parties concluded its 18th round of exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

There were 600,000 IDPs housed in evacuation centers prior to the resumption of the formal peace talks in December 2009. Out of the 600,000 IDPs, 500,000 have already been sent home but there are still 100,000 that have yet to return to their respective homes.

“To this end, the Parties tasked the Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) to help ensure the safety and security of returning evacuees by accompanying them to their respective areas of origin, in close coordination with local government units (LGUs) concerned, the International Monitoring Team (IMT), and other concerned agencies,” the two parties said in a joint statement.

Both parties likewise reiterated its invitation to the Norwegian government to join the IMT with a specific coordinating role of the Civil Protection Component (CPC).

Also discussed during the two-day Exploratory Talks include the implementing guidelines of a project that would clear landmines and unexploded ordnance in conflict-affected areas. The project will be jointly undertaken by the GRP and MILF CCCH, Philippine Campaign to Ban Landmines (PCBL), and the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD).

“The parties reached a consensus to enhance operational support arrangements for the CCCH and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG),” it added.

The joint statement was signed by GRP peace panel chairman and DFA Undersecretary Rafael Seguis, MILF panel chairman Mohagher Iqbal and Malaysian Chief Facilitator Datuk Othman bin Abd Razak.

Aside from the three, the two day session was attended by Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman, Prof. Grace Rebollos, and lumad leader Ronald Adamat on the GRP side as well as members of the International Contact Group (ICG).

Both panels have achieved a consensus on some issues and concerns during their exploratory talks.

These are on the issues and concerns such as Civilian Component of the International Monitoring Team (CPC-IMT); Philippine Campaign to Ban Landmines (PCBL); Administrative support to the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI); Ceasefire committees, and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG); and Mechanism to return the remaining internally displaced persons (IDPs) in conflict-affected areas (CAAs).

In an email Wednesday to the Manila Bulletin from Malaysia, it was learned that forging an interim peace accord is still far from a done thing. Another meeting of the two parties was scheduled in early May.

"The meeting was long and exhausting," the email said.

Representatives of the International Contact Group (ICG), which is helping move the over 13 years old Mindanao peace process attended the Kuala Lumpur meeting facilitated by Datuk Othman Bin Abd Razzak, who is from the Office of Prime Minister Dato Seri Tun Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak.

Both panels in January have said that a Comprehensive Peace Compact (CPC) is no longer possible because of the expiring term of President Arroyo. They also agreed then that interim pact is possible.