MANILA, Philippines – The Aquino government said it remains committed to ending all armed conflict in the country as it signs a historic peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) this week.
In a press briefing in Malacanang on the Philippines-National Democratic Front-New People’s Army (CPP-NDF-NPA).
Tuesday, Peace adviser Teresita Deles said the government will continue to advocate peace especially with the Communist Party of the Philippines.
“You know that when this government entered office we were faced with many fronts of armed conflict, and it has been the policy of this government to try to bring just and peaceful closure to all of our problems of armed conflict, and certainly we have been moving very well on some of the tables and some with much more difficulty,” Deles said when asked about government’s position on the communist rebellion
The signing of a peace deal with Muslims never diminishes the importance of a positive development on the government’s dealings with the communists, she said.
“It is important, it is historic, it is going to be a major contribution for the peace and development of the entire country,” Deles said of the agreement with the MILF.
Despite the difficulties in dealing with the CPP-NDF-NPA, the administration’s position remains the same, Deles noted.
“We have said that we would like the peace negotiations to resume. We would like peace talks to resume on the basis of a clear, doable, time-bound agenda. And we certainly remain hopeful that within this administration, there will be leaders on the other side that will also come to the same conclusion,” she added.
he people’s call for peace remains strong as the government moves closer to inking a permanent peace deal with the MILF, the peace adviser said.
“As we reach this stage of our peace process with the MILF, I think the call of our people remains stronger that they want peace, and that they would like peace on all fronts. Certainly, government remains committed to that objective,” Deles said.
Security forces recently arrested the Tiamzon couple, believed to be the one calling the shots for the armed rebellion of communist insurgents in the Philippines. The rebels said they will step up attacks on government installations following the arrest of the Tiamzons.
