Gov't asks critics to give chance to peace process with MILF

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The government urged today critics of the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the largest Muslim rebel group in the country, to at least keep an open mind on the peace pact both sides are working on.

"To those still doubtful about the peace process, we ask you to open your hearts and minds to what the two panels have so far achieved," Philippine Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said on a state-run radio station.

She said that everyone will have a chance to analyze later on how the government and the MILF crafted the four annexes of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), a road map that will end a four-decade armed conflict in southern Philippines by forming a sub-state of Bangsamoro that will replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Valte said the Philippine government is both confident and optimistic that there will be "good news" on the ongoing peace talks in Malaysia.

The government and the MILF are trying to complete the Annex on Normalization, the fourth and last annex of the FAB, and an addendum to Bangsamoro waters in the ongoing negotiation.

"On Friday, there was guarded optimism. But earlier today when I talked to some of those in the talks, you could feel they are optimistic there will be good news," Valte said.