Saturday, March 7, 2015

Palace: No peace talks with bandits

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 8): Palace: No peace talks with bandits

MalacaƱang on Saturday said it is not open to dialogue with the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), Justice for Islamic Movement (JIM) and the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the goal of having lasting peace in Mindanao is not only for the MILF but for all the people in Mindanao.

Valte, however, said the government will not conduct any peace talks with bandits.

“If they will remain as a bandit group, that is what they choose. But to bring them to the peace table, I don’t think that is proper. “Let us remember the evolution of our peace talks with the MILF,” Valte added.

And because they chose an armed struggle, Valte said the military will continue its all-out offensive against the BIFF.

The offensive against BIFF has displaced 16,111 families in 59 barangays prompting the Provincial council of Maguindanao to declare a state of calamity in 12 of 36 municipalities in Maguindanao.

Valte said about 13,261 families are seeking refuge in 49 evacuation centers.  The government has released P16.6 million in relief assistance.

“Of course, we take care of them and of their needs by way of food and medical assistance when they go to evacuation centers,” Valte said.

http://www.mb.com.ph/palace-no-peace-talks-with-bandits/

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