Deles says peace talks still on

From the Manila Bulletin (Jan 29): Deles says peace talks still on

The government is not inclined to wage an all-out war against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and abandon the Mindanao peace process despite the group’s involvement in the death of 44 policemen in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles said the government remains steadfast in pursuing “justice and peace” as she tried to allay concerns of some groups about the fate of the Mindanao peace process.

“Let us continue to find the way forward without losing sight of our ultimate goal of bringing just, inclusive and enduring peace that our people have been longing for and which our people – especially our children – deserve,” Deles said.

Former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada has lamented the death of the elite police commandos in Mamasapano insisting that the MILF can no longer be trusted.

ALL-OUT WAR

Estrada reportedly emphasized that an all-out war against the MILF was the only solution to end the alleged violence perpetrated by the MILF in recent years. When he was president back in 2000, Estrada declared an all-out war against the MILF after the rebels attacked a civilian community in Lanao del Norte.

The bloodbath in Maguindanao, meantime, has forced some lawmakers to withdraw support from the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, raising doubts on the sincerity of the MILF to the peace process.

The peace measure – a priority bill of President Aquino, seeks to create a Bangsamoro political entity that will replace the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) which was a result of a peace agreement signed by the govt and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). The BBL once passed would be legal backbone of the peace agreement between the government and the MILF signed in March 2014.

Deles however appealed to leaders of Congress to reconsider their decision against the BBL and instead support “our work for peace.”

She said it was a duty not only to the fallen PNP elite force in Mamasapano but all lives lost in the Mindanao conflict to pursue justice and peace.

“To sacrifice both will be to jeopardize the future of our nation and throw away what we have achieved over the years,” she added.

http://www.mb.com.ph/deles-says-peace-talks-still-on/