A prominent member of the peace negotiating panel of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) bared the sincere commitment of the Aquino administration to end the armed conflict with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) through the crafting of an accord favorable to both parties as he expressed optimism that the long wanted peace will be attained with the
signing of an agreement between the two panels soon.
In a teleconference held during a press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday, GPH chief negotiator Marvic Leonen reiterated that the government remains focused on exerting necessary efforts to end the long-standing conflict with the MILF.
“The GPH, as is our principal, His Excellency President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, remains sincerely committed to working towards a negotiated, comprehensive, political settlement with the MILF to address the Bangsamoro question,” Leonen said.
“Today we move forward with a healthy amount of optimism recognizing the need now, more than ever to be guided by lessons from the past… we look forward to coming weeks of more thorough perhaps more difficult conversations with the MILF and various affected sectors,” he added.
Leonen cited the urgency of formulating a solution as soon as possible to pursue development in the affected areas which will eventually push for more progress within the entire nation.
Leonen together with the other members of the GPH peace negotiating panel are still in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia attending the 27th Formal Exploratory Talks with the MILF.
On Tuesday the government and the MILF made a breakthrough during the talks by identifying preliminary decision points on principles that will be serving as the framework for the eventual signing of the peace pact. (PCOO)
