Malacañang 'hopeful' of MILF show of sincerity

After no less than President Benigno Aquino III showed his sincerity in the peace process, Malacañang is “hopeful" the Moro Islamic Liberation Front will return the gesture. But deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte declined to comment on what show of sincerity the Aquino administration expects from the MILF. She said it would be better to wait and see rather than preempt the peace process. “Abangan natin ang magiging epekto nito (Let’s just wait and see)," she said over state-run dzRB radio. Valte also said the meeting showed the importance Aquino put on the peace process. “Some may agree it was risky for the President, [but] it shows how much he values the peace process and how much it means to him to have a lasting and sustainable peace," she said. For his part, chief government negotiator Marvic Leonen said the MILF had shown goodwill during the peace process. Leonen, in a separate interview on dzRB, said both sides have had an “exchange of views and demands" although these are not made public immediately. “Marami rito maselan (Many of these are sensitive)," he said, without elaborating. But he also noted the MILF had reiterated last February it was dropping its claims to independence at the negotiating table. “Siguro malaking gesture na yan (It can be considered a major gesture on their part)," he said. — JE, GMA News