Peace talks on ending a three-decade-old Muslim separatist insurgency in southern Philippines opened Monday in Malaysia, with the rebels and the government saying they are hopeful of progress despite the tough agenda. The three-day talks between Manila and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front are being held behind closed doors in Port Dickson, a town south of Kuala Lumpur. Host Malaysia, which is brokering the talks, has barred journalists from entering the venue. Officials have said the talks deal with ancestral domain, which refers to the cultural rights and property of ethnic Muslim tribes and management of natural resources. "This is the first of many meetings on the question of ancestral domain. These talks are still exploratory in nature," said a joint written statement by MILF chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal and government representative Silvestere Afable. "We are exploring each others' positions. This is a very tough agenda but we are very hopeful of progress," said the statement, released through the Malaysian hosts.
