Arroyo to MILF: Make use of gov’t ‘dedication’ to peace
New AFP chief ‘son of Mindanao’
By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 15:55:00 05/12/2008
At the AFP change of command ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo Monday, the President said she hopes to seal a peace agreement the separatist group during her administration.
Arroyo’s term ends in 2010.
"It would really be such a wasted moment if our Muslim brothers did not take advantage of our dedication to these efforts and conclude a peace deal in the next few years," Arroyo said in her speech.
"Yes, there are political dynamics and we are working to sort them out, but I can think of nothing more desirable for the people of Mindanao and our nation than peace during our administration and hopefully, during the tour of duty of the son of Mindanao as chief of staff," Arroyo said.
Army chief Alexander Yano, who the post of chief of staff, replacing retired general Hermogenes Esperon Jr., hails from Zamboanga del Norte.
Arroyo said the government has made progress in terms of peace, order and stability in Mindanao the region with the help of the AFP and assured Yano of complete support from the national leadership, pledging to pour in resources to the military, as part of efforts to reach a settlement with the rebels.
Talks between the government and the MILF floundered in December when the rebels' negotiators walked away from a meeting to protest the government panel's position that any accord should conform to the Philippine Constitution.
The MILF, which the military says has 11,000 fighters, is the largest Muslim group battling for self-rule in the southern Philippines.
Last week, Malaysia, which is brokering the talks, started pulling out ceasefire monitors from Mindanao, a move Malacañang hopes would not affect the peace process.
The Malaysian monitors form the majority of the International Monitoring Team (IMT), which oversees compliance with the ceasefire agreement between the military and the MILF.
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