Lawmaker urges rebels to make peace with gov’t

Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr., chairman of the House committee on national defense, expressed support yesterday to Malacañang’s bid to have the resumption of peace talks with both communist insurgents and Muslim secessionists before the May polls to make the elections more peaceful and orderly.

Pichay expressed hope the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the National Democratic Front will similarly complement government efforts to have the peace negotiations resumed as soon as possible.

"The resumption of peace talks may even include an extended ceasefire until the May 10 and other fundamental agreements to halt armed operations to ensure the safety of voters and candidates for local and national positions," Pichay said.

Teresita Deles, presidential adviser on the peace process, said the government and communist rebels as well as Muslim secessionists are about to reach the end point of their agreement to start the peace talks during these first three months.

"The peace talks shows the Filipino people’s desire for genuine peace and reconciliation which are the twin foundations for our development. It also proves that the Filipinos are peace loving race as everyone wants a lasting solution to the years of armed conflict which has hampered our growth as a nation," Pichay said.

The military said it will abide by the political decision reached from the peace talks and will continue to support the negotiations.

Peace talks with the NDF, the political arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), were suspended by the government in 2001 following the assassination of Quezon Rep. Marcial Punzalan and Cagayan Rep. Rodolfo Aguinaldo by communist rebels.

The peace negotiations with the MILF is being brokered by Malaysia and will be held in Kuala Lumpur.

Deles said President Arroyo remains hopeful the peace talks would start before the polls to avoid escalation of violence and make the elections a more free and open exercise for all the people. Deles, however, said she does not know yet the peace talks would lead to an agreement that will end hostilities.