Gov't eyes peace talks with MILF in Jan
By Christian V. Esguerra
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 11:40:00 01/06/2009
Filed Under: Mindanao peace process, The Southern Campaign
ILIGAN CITY, Philippines--Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman Sr. said on Tuesday morning that a government peace panel is working to resume formal talks with the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front within January.
"That's the recommendation of the panel and we hope we can start talks already," he told reporters.
After making significant strides in 2008, peace talks between the Arroyo government and the MILF collapsed in August when three MILF commanders led their troops in attacking several civilian communities in Mindanao.
The attacks came after the Supreme Court stopped the signing of a memorandum of agreement that would have paved the way for a Bangsamoro semi-independent state in Mindanao.
The Arroyo government reconstituted its peace panel just last month but the MILF maintained its own.
The government is calling for a new peace paradigm of "demobilization, disarmament and rehabilitation" and using communities as peace advocates.
The MILF, however, said that any revival of the peace talks should center on the resolution of the shelved Bangsamoro ancestral domain issue.
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