Editor's note: This is the second of a two-part series on the Philippines peace process. Part I examined talks between the Philippine government and Maoist insurgents. Part II examines negotiations between Manila and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
While the reopening of peace talks between the government of Philippine President Benigno Aquino and the country's leading Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), is a welcome development, doubts remain on whether the Philippines is ready to seal the deal.
At a preliminary meeting held in January, the two parties agreed to hold formal exploratory talks on Feb. 9-10 in Kuala Lumpur, with the facilitation of the Malaysian government.