We want peace with separatist MILF : Arroyo
Written by Writer on Monday, October 20th, 2008
We want peace with separatist MILF : Arroyo
Jeoffrey Maitem and Edwin Fernandez
Monday, October 20, 2008
Brunei Times
PHILIPPINE President Macapagal-Arroyo on Saturday said the government was committed to pursuing peace with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a Muslim separatist rebel group, even as punitive actions against rogue Moro rebels continued in the restive South.
Even as we pursue these criminals, we remain committed to peace. We must all work to gain peace in Mindanao, said Arroyo in a speech she delivered before the soldiers here.
While urging the military to continue running after the forces of Ameril Ombra Kato in Maguindanao and Abdullah Macapaar, alias Commander Bravo, in Lanao, the President reminded the soldiers to respect human rights.
In the performance of your mandate, the strict observance of the human rights of civilians is paramount, she said.
There is no alternative to peace so I count on you soldiers to work to isolate the lawless Moro rebels as we listen to the local communities, she said.
My salute and congratulations to you, our soldiers. The government and Filipino people appreciate and recognise your sacrifices in the pursuit of justice for the victims of lawless MILF rebels, she said.
A few hours before the President arrived here, soldiers and MILF rebels clashed in Guindulongan, Maguindanao. A soldier, Pfc Benjie Magallanes, was wounded in the incident, according to major Randolph Cabangbang, deputy spokesperson of the Eastern Mindanao Command.
Aside from praising the soldiers for their gallantry, Arroyo announced the release of 300-peso ($9.20) cellular phone cards to more than 7,000 of them in the region.
She also pledged to turn over 8.75 million pesos to purchase sleeping bags.
We thank the civic spirit of the citizens of Mindanao, particularly those in General Santos and Davao cities for their generous donations, she said.
The President said she valued the sacrifices of the soldiers.
Because of your sacrifices, I’m optimistic we will have lasting peace in Mindanao, she said.
After her speech, the President held a closed-door meeting with military officials, who briefed her on the situation in Maguindanao.
Present at the meeting, which lasted about 20 minutes, were defence secretary Gilbert Teodoro, social welfare secretary Esperanza Cabral and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governor Datu Zaldy Ampatuan.
Mohagher Iqbal, MILF chief negotiator, said there was nothing new in the President’s statement.
He said Arroyo simply reinforced what the military has been doing since the resurgence of hostilities in August.
Why do civilians have to suffer when they say they are only running after Kato? Soldiers are burning their houses, Iqbal said.
While the MILF still wants a peaceful resolution of the conflict, it no longer trusts the government, he said.
After what they did to the ancestral domain deal, (they want to) resume negotiations? What are we going to talk about?
Iqbal also said that if peace talks were to resume, a third party should be designated to guarantee that all agreements reached would be honoured by the government.Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
