MILF eyes more vigorous peace talks under GMA

COTABATO CITY — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is optimistic about "more aggressive and vigorous peace talks" with the government under the administration of President Arroyo.

For many peace advocates in Central Mindanao, President Arroyo’s proclamation early Thursday morning occurred auspiciously with the simultaneous setting up of signboards urging public support for the peace talks in strategic spots of the region.

Eid Kabalu, speaking on behalf of the MILF central committee, said they are convinced that President Arroyo would uphold her "all-out peace policy" in furthering the Mindanao peace process, centered on restoring normalcy in many guerrilla enclaves which the Armed Forces liberated from rebels’ control in 2000.

"In the meantime, we can only wait and see, (hoping) that the MILF and government peace panels would have more comprehensive and more beneficial breakthroughs in the ongoing peace talks," Kabalu told reporters.

Kabalu said the MILF is expecting Mrs. Arroyo, now that she has a fresh mandate, to work for the resumption of the peace talks.

Government and rebel negotiators last met early this year in Malaysia and discussed how to boost low-level agreements aimed at staving off military-MILF confrontations in areas covered by the ceasefire.

Peace talks between the government and the MILF began on Jan. 7, 1997 but were repeatedly marred by nagging security problems in many areas supposedly covered by the ceasefire.

Next week, MILF negotiators will start reorienting guerrillas in their strongholds on the intricacies of the ceasefire and the ramifications of the ongoing peace talks and their supposed role in helping authorities neutralize lawless elements in their respective communities.

"The orientation is in consonance with the Front’s concerns for peace and protection of the rights of the combatants of both sides and the non-combatants or the civilians in areas often affected by conflicts," said Benjie Midtimbang, chairman of the MILF’s coordinating committee on the cessation of hostilities.