-
In her visit here Wednesday morning, the President expressed her commitment to pursue peace talks with the MILF. She said the government is optimistic to start the peace negotiation as soon as possible to fast track development projects in Mindanao.
Ms Arroyo reiterated that the government is committed to the new peace talks with the MILF.
The government formed the new members of the GRP (Government of the Republic of the Philippines) peace panel late last year in the quest of bringing peace in Mindanao.
She said the government should play as "honest broker" to include voices of all the stakeholders to the peace talks. "This will strengthen the final outcome of the peace talks," she stressed.
Ms Arroyo said the government will conduct dialogues with the different stakeholders to hear their voices and include them in the talks.
According to the President, the dialogue with the people will help the government to form the road map to peace. The dialogue includes substantive discussion like disarmament, demobilization and reintegration. "This is to ensure that the people will accept the result of the final outcome of the peace talks," she said.
However, MILF spokesperson Eid Kabalu said over a local TV station here that there was nothing new with the President’s statement. (MindaNews)
