Govt hints of having second thoughts in MILF talks after attacks

MANILA, Philippines - Cabinet officials on Monday night hinted that the government is having second thoughts in talking peace with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) after it attacked the provinces of North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte. “We have been bending over backwards to show good faith (in the peace negotiations with the MILF) but these past weeks, (the MILF has shown) the exact opposite,” said Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno Monday night. "They (MILF) have harmed civilians, burned houses of civilians and taken over civilian … I think that cannot be taken lightly," he added. Puno however said the government remains "hopeful" that there are still enough elements in the MILF who are interested in peace even if the events in Mindanao in the past 24 hours had been “disheartening.” "At this point although we are alarmed and disheartened by this aggression that’s been shown by some elements of the MILF we are still hopeful that there are some constructive who are still desirous of the peace process," he said. The DILG chief made the statement in a press briefing in Malacañang following an emergency meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) presided by President Arroyo. Puno admitted the government is now "entertaining doubts" and feels that "there has been a breach in the peace/ceasefire agreement" with the MILF. He described MILF's attack in Lanao del Norte as an "affront to the national government." For his part, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said the government will not hesitate to “sift out” those who are no longer interested in talking peace with the government. “The value of dialogue is always there, but the parameters of dialogue should change to reflect the conditions on the ground. Sift out those who do not want it,” Teodoro said as he reminded the secessionist group that it is incumbent on them "not to coddle members who have been sowing terror in Mindanao." Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said the recent attacks by MILF in North Cotabato last week and in Lanao del Norte and Sarangani Monday “were pure criminal acts without any justification." - with Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV