Manila not pursuing cease-fire with MILF

By Ma. Theresa Torres, Reporter

Fighting will apparently continue in Mindanao despite efforts to revive the stalled peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Eduardo Ermita confirmed that the government team that left for Kuala Lumpur to meet with MILF representatives was not given orders to close a ceasefire deal with the guerrillas.

Ermita added that, if the MILF were sincere, they would not abandon the peace process even if there was open fighting.

“If they (MILF) really wanted to talk to the government, we are willing to talk to them on whatever conditions, with or without a ceasefire. The important thing is that they would agree to sit down and talk peace with us,” Ermita said.

Ermita reiterated that while government’s peace effort continues, the military’s orders remains: pursue those who would attempt to do more atrocities in Mindanao.

The explosion in Koronadal City, which injured three civilians, was an indication that the military couldn’t afford to relax, he added.

Ermita said the reason why the government is extending extra effort to pursue peace with insurgent groups is to avoid further mayhem in Mindanao.

The government exploratory team, led by Presidential Adviser on Mindanao Affairs Jesus Dureza, flew to Malaysia on Wednesday to meet with MILF leaders upon the invitation of the Malaysian government.

The meeting would determine when the government and the MILF would sit down to resume formal negotiations for a comprehensive peace agree­ment.

Meanwhile, Dureza said there had been a long and extensive discussion between members of the government’s exploratory team and representative of the MILF.

He refused to give details of what was discussed but expressed optimism that the exploratory talks would end at a positive note.