Gov't Ready to Resume Talks with the MILF "Without Preconditions"

ILIGAN CITY---The Arroyo administration is ready to resume the stalled peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) "without preconditions."

Newly-appointed chair of the government panel Ambassador Rafael Seguis said the government has been preparing to "move forward" with the peace talks with the MILF in a move to re-enforce government commitment to peace through negotiations.

Seguis said the composition of the panel has been completed with Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman representing the Muslims, General Santos Mayor Adelbert Antonino representing the local government and the Christian community, and sectoral representative Ronald Adamat from Maguindanao to represent the lumads.

"But it takes two to tango," Seguis stressed, adding that whatever are the five preconditions the MILF have before sitting on the negotiating table has to be taken up on the negotiating table and not released through media.

"Let them come to us to talk. We will deal with them on the negotiating table and we shall find a way," Seguis said.

Seguis added that there are still some "kinks to iron out" such as the composition of the International Monitoring Team and the role of Malaysia in the talks as mediator or facilitator.

Seguis said the President wants the GRP panel's "strategy" to be submitted on Jan. 20.

Source: Office of the President
Image Credit: Expo 2008 Philippines