CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo reiterated on Wednesday her government's commitment to attain peace in the southern Philippines and directed the newly formed government peace panel to work with the Malaysian government for the resumption of talks with Moro rebels.

During a press briefing here Wednesday, Arroyo said the government panel to talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) would leave next week to meet Malaysian officials on the possible resumption of the stalled negotiations.

The peace talks with the MILF suffered a setback in August last year after local government officials in Mindanao questioned the proposed memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain (MOA-AD) that would pave the way for the creation of the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity.

Renewed hostilities broke out in Mindanao after the Supreme Court stopped the signing of the MOA-AD. The high court subsequently declared the accord unconstitutional.

Because of the fighting, the government dissolved its peace panel. But late last year, Arroyo announced the formation of a new peace panel headed by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis Jr.

"You see, peace is found at the negotiating table and not on the battlefield, so I have given the new peace panel the directive to schedule the next round of talks with the MILF," Arroyo said.

She also emphasized the need to give voice to a cross-section of representatives from Mindanao "to air the voice of the stakeholders."

"We would consider them [stakeholders] to the peace talks under the new [peace] process," Arroyo said, adding that the bungled MOA-AD would serve as an "input" for the resumption of negotiations.

"Everything should be reviewed. There is no alternative to peace and that is why we formed a new the government peace panel," she said.

She stressed that the new peace paradigm with the MILF would still be pursued despite opposition from the rebels and other sectors.

"What is important [is that] the peace process will start moving," Press Secretary Jesus Dureza told reporters.

Arroyo, however, said violent elements threatening security would have to be neutralized first to ensure tranquility in the region.

"We cannot negotiate under threat," she said.

Arroyo said efforts to neutralize MILF commanders accused of leading attacks on civilian communities, among them Maguindanao's Ameril Ombra Kato and Abdullah Macapaar alias Bravo, who has been operating in the adjoining Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur provinces, would continue to ensure safety of civilian communities.

She said local government officials and other sectors would be given roles in her administration's Southern Mindanao peace process.

Seguis is from Mindanao’s Surigao province, according to Arroyo.

The MILF earlier said it could resume talks with the government if foreign organizations were involved to ensure "international guarantee[s]" to any peace agreement; if Malaysia remained as facilitator of the negotiations; and if the MOA-AD were used as starting point for discussions.

Arroyo left this camp around noon to proceed to Davao City after postponing an earlier scheduled visit to Bukidnon and flash flood-struck Cagayan de Oro City due to prevailing bad weather.