Peace seen with MILF

MANILA, Philippines – Presidential adviser on the peace process Avelino Razon yesterday expressed confidence that the government could reach a peace agreement with Islamic separatists and communist rebels before President Arroyo’s term ends in 2010.

Razon said that by that time, the 40-year-old conflict between the government and the rebels would finally end to finally bring peace to the country.

“With the NDF, we have the middle of August as scheduled, for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front we are just awaiting word from the Malaysian facilitators as to the schedule,” he said.

Razon said that the peace process with the communist movement and the MILF is included in the things that Mrs. Arroyo would spell out when she addresses the nation today.

“This is one of her 10-point agenda, this is one of her major programs in the government, that is to bring to an end the conflict” with the MILF and the CPP-NPA.

Razon said that the suspension of military operations against the MILF in Mindanao, which was declared by the President last Wednesday is a necessary “ingredient” in the peace process because it would provide both parties the atmosphere for returning to the negotiating table.

“That will bring in a ceasefire, a ceasefire that will bring in cessation of hostilities, fighting, killing which will bring in the resumption of peace talks so it’s a necessary ingredient, when the fighting stops, the shooting stops then we could all sit down and talk about peace,” he said.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro has clarified that the suspension of military offensives against renegade Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels was not because the government was pressured following the recent string of bombings in Central Mindanao.

He said that the intention of the suspension of offensive military operations and placing the troops on active standby mode was to pave the way for the resumption of peace negotiations between the secessionist group and the government.

Despite the SOMO, Teodoro said the armed forces’ posture would be on active defense, meaning soldiers would not allow armed MILF members roaming around areas where they are not supposed to go.

Teodoro said that the soldiers are still duty-bound to protect the communities from those who threaten the peace in these areas.

The defense chief said that despite the SOMO, there would be no reduction of forces in the area because they would be needed now to secure the status quo in the areas where there are MILF rebels.