US, Australian envoys laud PNoy’s ‘commitment’ to peace process

Two foreign diplomats on Thursday commended President Benigno Aquino III for his “commitment" to the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) despite recent clashes between members of the secessionist group and government troops southern Philippines. Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Rod Smith lauded Aquino’s rejection of an "all-out" war against the MILF, saying it will only escalate the conflict between the two parties. "Both President and the leadership of the MILF have made it clear that the only way forward is the peace process. We hope that the leadership of President Aquino and the MILF central committee will see calm restored on the ground," Smith said in a statement Thursday. For his part, United States Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. expressed "full confidence in the careful, measured approach" taken by the Aquino administration to address violence in Mindanao. "We fully support the ongoing peace process and hope the parties can avoid violence and continue to work toward an agreement that will provide for a peaceful and prosperous future," Howard said in a separate statement. Both ambassadors also extended condolences to the families of the 19 soldiers who were killed during the Oct. 18 firefight in Basilan between government troops and armed men, supposedly reinforced by some members of the MILF. The firefight also claimed the lives of several rebels. On Monday, President Aquino officially rejected calls for military action against the MILF, and instead announced that his administration will pursue “all-out" justice for the soldiers killed in the clash. Aquino also said that his government will continue the peace process with the MILF, and expressed confidence that the MILF leadership also wants a peaceful resolution to the current conflict. In August, Aquino met with the MILF chairperson Al Haj Murad Ibrahim at a hotel in Tokyo with hopes to boost the peace talks between the two parties. Negotiators from the government and the MILF panels are scheduled to hold another round of peace talks next month. — RSJ, GMA News