DAPITAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 19, 2008) - Filipino leader Gloria Arroyo on Thursday again campaigned for dialogues and community consultations, focusing on disarmament, demobilization and reintegration as the new peace paradigm in negotiating with insurgents, including the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Philippines' largest Muslim rebel group.
"We remain committed to the peace process. We have negotiated in good faith with our Muslim brethren to keep the peace these last seven years and also to look for lasting peace for generations to come," Arroyo said during a two-day Local Peace and Security Assembly here.
She accused the MILF of failing to surrender three rogue commanders blamed for last month's deadly attacks in Mindanao. Arroyo suspended the government's peace talks with the MILF because of the attacks in North Cotabato, Lanao del Norte and Sarangani provinces that killed dozens of people.
"We will not negotiate with a gun pointing at our heads," Arroyo said.
The MILF said it will not return to the negotiating table unless Arroyo honors the Muslim homeland deal that peace negotiators initially signed in July.
Arroyo disbanded the government peace panel and scrapped the territorial deal with the MILF. (Mindanao Examiner)
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