Gonzales: Peace talks with MILF to continue

DAVAO CITY , Philippines  – Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales assured religious leaders in Mindanao that the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) would continue in the next administration.

“I could see that all the political camps have the desire to continue with the peace process. I believe that the incoming government will continue with the peace talks,” Gonzales said Wednesday night during a joint meeting of the Bishops-Ulama Conference, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao.

Gonzales admitted that although it would already be impossible to forge a final peace agreement with the MILF before the term of President Arroyo ends on June 30, the two panels are making sure that the peace process will continue.

The MILF earlier expressed confidence that an interim peace agreement would be signed before June 30.

“The two panels are also working on ensuring that the existing cessation of hostilities shall not stop,” Gonzales said.

He said the Malaysia-led International Monitoring Team would stay, even expanding its membership with the participation of Norway.