Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Arroyo in peace talks?

Malacañang said on Sunday it still had to ask President Benigno Aquino III about Sen. Gregorio Honasan’s proposal to include surviving former presidents in the peace effort with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

“We would like to get the President’s sense before we make any comment,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a phone patch interview with reporters.

Honasan had said the convening of a council of state that includes former Presidents Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would show the government’s good faith in its peace negotiations with the rebel group.

The senator also said the government should continue with the peace talks despite the killing of 19 soldiers in the Basilan clash more than two weeks ago.

Valte said that the issue of good faith of the government in the peace talks with the MILF “had never been in question.”

“From the very start, we would often say and show good faith is instrumental for our goal of achieving peace,” the deputy spokesperson said.

Law enforcement

Valte also said the government would continue to go after lawless elements responsible for the Basilan attacks that killed 19 Special Forces members.

“That is primarily a law enforcement issue and separate from the peace talks and this had been made very clear by President Aquino,” she said.

Valte also sought to assure Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile that the government peace panel will not allow any foreign intervention in its talks with the MILF.

Reacting to Enrile’s call for the peace talks with the MILF to be held in the country and not in Malaysia, Valte said that Malaysia was “strictly a facilitator” in the peace talks.