Gov’t to continue dialogue with MNLF not involved in Zamboanga siege—Deles

presidential adviser on peace process Teresita Deles. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines —  The  government is continuing its dialogue with leaders of  the   Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) not involved in the bloody siege  in Zamboanga City in September, presidential adviser on  peace process Secretary Teresita Deles  told  a Senate hearing on Tuesday.

“We understand that we have in fact feelers and we are in dialogue with different leaders  of the  different factions of the  MNLF who would like to continue the process and  are distancing from the action that had been taken in Zamboanga,”  Deles said during the budget  hearing for he office.

“The policy of this government is that we will continue to talk and engage on those who are willing to proceed with peace towards making   the changes that are necessary in the area,”  she  added.

Meanwhile, the  government ‘s  efforts to  forge peace  with  the  communist  rebels  remained  at a standstill after their meeting  last February  bogged down.

“We are at an impasse with the CPP-NPA-NDF group,” government chief negotiator Alex Padilla  told the same hearing.

CPP-NPA-NDF is  Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front.

Without further questions, the Senate sub-committee on finance approved  the proposed budget of the Office of the Presidential Adviser  on Peace Process  for 2014.