Philippines to pursue peace talks with MILF despite Basilan ambush

MANILA — Underscoring the critical importance of peace and security to the country’s bid for First World status and sustained economic growth, Presidential Adviser on National Security and acting Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales said today the government will not abandon the quest for an end to the Mindanao hostilities through peaceful means in the aftermath of the ambush-killing of 14 Marines in Basilan Tuesday.

The latest and deadliest attack on government forces mounted by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) since February 2005 when MILF rebels killed 13 Marines in another ambush in Patikul, Sulu, the Basilan assault also left nine other soldiers wounded and six still unaccounted for.

The government will not allow the “tragic” Basilan incident to scuttle efforts to achieve a lasting peace in Mindanao, Gonzales said.

“The important thing is that the government is determined to continue with the peace talks. It would be more tragic if we allow this incident to scuttle the peace process,” he added.

The MILF owned up to the killing of the 14 Marines, 10 of whom were beheaded, in an ambush in Albarka, a municipality in Basilan province.

Gonzales said the government is coordinating with the different institutions, including Malaysia and other foreign governments involved in monitoring compliance with the Mindanao ceasefire, in the investigation of the latest bloodshed.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon said the ground commanders in the area are now meeting with government representatives in the International Monitoring Team and the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities to discuss the Basilan incident.

“We are going after those who committed the beheading…but we will ensure that this will not disturb the peace process,” he said.

Esperon added that on orders of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, a battalion of Sulu-based soldiers would be dispatched to Basilan to reinforce the government troops hunting down the kidnapers of Italian priest Fr. Giancarlo Bossi.

The GRP-MILF peace process, which began in 1997, made a breakthrough on June 22, 2001 when the “Agreement on Peace” was signed in Tripoli, Libya.

It was expected that after last May’s midterm elections, the stalled talks would resume, but the negotiations have remained bogged down on the ticklish issues on ancestral domain and governance in the Muslim–populated areas.