Robredo a loss to peace process—MILF

MANILA, Philippines—The death of Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo is a loss to the peace process in Mindanao, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front said Wednesday.

Mohagher Iqbal, chair of the MILF peace panel, said Robredo’s demise was not only a loss to his family and friends and to the Aquino administration “but also to the peace-making in Mindanao.”

He said Robredo was a strong supporter for the peaceful settlement of the armed conflict in the south.

“I (knew) Robredo personally when we happened to be invited at a forum on peace process in Penang, Malaysia earlier this year and even at first impression, he is an amiable person,” Iqbal said in a statement posted on the MILF website Luwaran.

“May the family have the strength in this most difficult moment,” Iqbal added.

Iqbal extended his condolences to Robredo’s family in behalf of the MILF central committee and the MILF peace panel.