‘Peace within our reach’

TRIPOLI, Libya — "A peace deal that has long eluded us is now within our reach."

This was the statement by a Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) official on the peace talks between the go-vernment and the separatist rebels, which started here yesterday.

Al Haj Murad, MILF vice chairman for military affairs, said the secessionists are willing to delay autonomy talks to end 30 years of hostilities in Mindanao.

Murad, who heads the MILF delegation to the talks, said the negotiations could "open a new chapter and pave the way for a lasting peace" in the country.

But other MILF representatives said they were losing patience with the government, questioning its stated commitment to granting Muslims limited autonomy and developing the southern islands.

On the other hand, Vice President Teofisto Guingona, who is also secretary of foreign affairs and chief government delegate, said: "The road to peace and development has not been very easy, (but) we have learned the lessons: To end the fighting and to forge a... lasting peace with honor."

Guingona called on all the parties involved "to put the past behind them" and move forward with a dialogue, and condemned the "terrorist" violence in the South.

Among the issues to be put forward in the first round of talks is an MILF demand for the government to recognize more than 40 rebel-controlled areas, where there will a complete "cessation of hostilities" in exchange for economic development.

The MILF would also be called to respect the 1996 peace agreement between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front.

The two sides would also agree to the commission of Libya, Malaysia, and Indonesia to verify any ceasefire to be declared.

The Tripoli talks are being hosted by the Gadhafi International Foundation for Charitable Associations, headed by Seif el Islam, a son of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

"Our aim is to reach a comprehensive and just solution for the conflict that has gone on for too long in southern Philippines," Seif said.

In Gamu, Isabela, Armed Forces chief Gen. Diomedio Villanueva ordered government troops yesterday to launch "search and destroy" operations against the New People’s Army (NPA) in Northern Luzon.

Villanueva gave the all-out war order during the 20th anniversary celebration of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division based here yesterday.

"I have issued a marching order to the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) to launch a massive operation against the rebels," he said.

At the same forum, Villanueva denied reports that the military is spending at least P8 million weekly for the feeding, transportation and ammunition of eight Marine and Army battalions comprised of 8,000 men, who are operating against the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan.

"The AFP did not ask for additional budget from the government," he said. "We are doing our operation against the Abu Sayyaf under our normal and standard operational expenses."

Maj. Gen. Rodolfo Garcia, Nolcom commander, said the NPA’s Fortunato Camus Command, which claimed the killing of Cagayan Rep. Rodolfo Aguinaldo, is only a squad comprised of at least eight men.

"The NPA is projecting an impression that Fortunato Camus is a command when in fact it is only a squad," he said.

Garcia said the 5th Infantry Division under the command of Brig. Gen. Rodolfo Alvarado could "in time" wipe out the insurgency problem in Cagayan Valley.

In Bacolod City, retired Lt. Gen, Eduardo Ermita, presidential adviser for the peace process, called yesterday for the immediate cessation of hostilities between government forces and the Revolutionary Proletarian Army–Alex Boncayao Brigade.

Col. Alphonsus Crucero, commander of the Army’s 303rd Infantry Battalion, said Ermita has issued guidelines for the military to maintain rapport with the rebels and encourage "low-level" coordination with their leaders.

Local officials in Negros Occidental should also be involved in the peace effort, he added.– AP, AFP, Lito Salatan, Antonieta Lopez