Gov't to accelerate peace process with MILF: Official

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The government is trying hard to fast-track the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a senior government official said today.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte made the statement after the MILF, the largest Muslim rebel group in the country, warned the Aquino administration of prolonging the peace process, stressing that the "clock is ticking away."

"We know what they feel when it comes to peace talks and all sides are really doing their work to discuss and to come up with decision in all the issues involved on the remaining annexes," she said in an interview over a state-run radio station.

The MILF officials have raised concern on the government's apparent prolonged process to complete the three annexes of the framework agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB). The annexes include wealth-sharing, power-sharing and normalization.

After their 37th round of talks last week in Malaysia, the government and the MILF agreed to resume the negotiation after the May midterm polls.

MILF panel chair Mohagher Iqbal earlier expressed hope to sign the three annexes and the comprehensive peace agreement before the May elections.

The comprehensive peace agreement aims to establish the Bangsamoro entity that will replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and will end the four decades armed struggle in southern Philippines.