Palace lukewarm to having Indonesia mediate talks with MILF

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang remained lukewarm to a suggestion by Sen. Rodolfo Biazon to have Indonesia act as mediator in peace talks between government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Press Secretary and presidential spokesman Jesus Dureza said that while Biazon's suggestion will be lumped in "inputs" in the peace process, government will continue talking to communities first. "Magandang suggestion yan pero sa ngayon antayin natin ang outcome of dialogues and consultations (It's a good suggestion but let's wait for the outcome of dialogues and consultations with the communities) ... It will be inputted in ongoing consultations," he said on government-run dzRB radio. He was referring to the government's new policy of talking peace first with communities instead of armed groups like the MILF and the New People's Army (NPA). Besides, he noted the government is now running after rogue commanders of the MILF who had led deadly attacks in several areas in Mindanao last August. "Ang ating ginagawa ngayon (What we are doing now is) in accordance with the president's directive, dialogues with the communities," he said. Still, he said Biazon's advice carries weight as Biazon had been a consultant of the government peace panel dealing with the Communist Party of the Philippines, the NPA's political arm. Also, he said Indonesia has been "supportive" of the government's peace initiatives and of peace-and-development efforts. GMANews.TV