PNoy calls for support on peace talks this February

President Benigno Aquino III has called on Filipinos to rally behind the government as peace talks with separatist group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are set to resume on Wednesday, to be followed later this month by separate peace talks with two other rebel groups. Two years after the government’s peace talks with the MILF broke down because of the controversial Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD), the two parties are set to hold two-day exploratory talks on February 9-10 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The MOA-AD, which had been initialed and later declared unconstitutional, would have created a separate Moro government called a Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE). The MILF last year gave up its efforts to create a BJE, and settled for the creation of a substate. The government peace panel welcomed this announcement. (See: Govt peace panel welcomes MILF's 'sub-state' proposal) Last Sunday, the government panel had expressed concern over the internal issues hounding the MILF regarding the reported resignation of Umbra Kato, commander of the Front’s 105th Base. Chief government negotiator Marvic Leonen said the GRP panel will expect a clarification during the Feb. 9-10 formal talks. Central Committee Chairman Al Haj Murad had admitted there is an internal problem, he assured the government panel that the MILF is still committed to a peaceful negotiated political settlement of the Bangsamoro issue. (See: Murad: Despite internal 'rift,' MILF still committed to peace talks) Meanwhile, the government and the communist-led National Democratic Front (NDF) are set to resume formal peace talks from February 15 to 21 in Oslo, Norway, after the negotiations were stalled for nearly seven years. (See: Govt, NDF to hold another ceasefire Feb. 15-21 for peace talks) Also, a separate tripartite meeting between the government, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and the Organization of Islamic Countries will be held from February 19 to 20 in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to study the implementation of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement, Aquino said. “Bawat Pilipino ay apektado ng peace talks. At simula’t sapul, hinikayat ko na ang lahat na makiisa, makibahagi sa solusyon sa halip na dumagdag sa problema," Aquino said on Tuesday night at a candle-lighting ceremony in Quezon City. (The peace talks will affect every Filipino. From the start, I have enjoined everyone to take part in seeking solutions instead of compounding the problem.) “Now is the time for renewed peace talks which should yield a meaningful agreement between the government and rebel groups," the President added. Aquino also urged Filipinos to get involved in the peace talks by reaching the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process through their website, and Facebook and Twitter accounts. “Sa mga simpleng paraan na ito, makakatulong na tayo sa pagpapakalat sa adbokasiya ng kapayapaan," Aquino said. (Through these simple means, everyone can help in propagating the advocacy of peace.) In a statement, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the resumption of the peace talks “is an opportunity to finally put an end to the conflict that has stunted the country’s development for so long, especially in areas where unrest has caused poverty and death to so many of our people." —With Paterno Esmaquel/JV, GMA News