GMA urges localized peace talks with MILF
President Gloria Arroyo on Monday directed officials in
Arroyo said she would give governors and mayors in the region the
leeway to formulate their own peace initiatives in their localities.
The Chief Executive, however, clarified that this does not mean
the government is abandoning its negotiation with the rebel group at the top
level.
"Anyone from the MILF can come and invoke the peace
agreement signed earlier," Arroyo said.
At a press conference in Malacaņang, Arroyo stood pat on her
decision not to impose martial law in
The police-military task force is enough to quell the rebellion
launched by MILF, she stated.
Arroyo assured the public that this set-up is more effective than
imposing an iron fist policy, which was earlier suggested by former president
Fidel Ramos.
In a related development, the Municipal Trial Court of Sultan
Kudarat issued an arrest warrant against Chairman Hashim Salamat and ranking
leaders of both the MILF and Pentagon kidnap-for-ransom syndicate.
Aside from Salamat, those in the warrant of arrest handed down by
Judge Melanio Guerrero include Vice Chairman Al-Haj Murad, spokesman Eid
Kabalu, Tahir Alonto of the Pentagon and 90 others accused in the December 31,
2002 blast in Tacurong, Maguindanao.
The accused were charged with multiple murder and frustrated
murder for the death of nine people and injury to 44 others.
Anthony Taberna, Radio dzMM