Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Mindanao Governor Urges RP and MILF To Continue Peace Talks

North Cotabato Gov. Emannuel Pinol hands a gift to Malaysia Maj. Gen. Dato Mohammad Ismail Bin Ahmad, head of the internation truce observer in Mindanao. (Sidney Nanini)

KIDAPAWAN CITY (Carl Bautista / 26 Sept) -- North Cotabato Governor Emmanuel F. Pinol urged the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to continue peace talks after both sides failed to sign any agreement on the so-called Muslim ancestral domain in Mindanao.

Pinol called on both parties to reject the use of arms in resolving the age-old Mindanao problem.

"Our experiences have shown us that there is no winner in such a war, only losers with our people suffering the most terrible loss of all -- continued poverty and lingering hopelessness," he said.

Members of the Malaysian-led truce observer headed by Maj. Gen. Dato Mohammad Ismail Bin Ahmad, of Malaysia, met with Pinol and both discussed the peace process and the importance of the cease-fire agreement between the Philippine government and the MILF, the country’s largest Muslim rebel group.

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