Headline
Deles says peace pact with MILF will prevail over Basilan clash
Statement of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles. Photo courtesy of OPAPP.
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles believes that the peace pact between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will hold despite the recent military clash in Basilan.
Four MILF members were killed after Friday’s clash between the Philippine military and Abu Sayyaf fighters. Among those slain were two soldiers and 18 Abu Sayyaf and MILF members.
The MILF allegedly aided the Abu Sayyaf against the government troops without their leader’s go signal.
MILF vice chairman Ghazali Jaafar condemns the recent violence in Basilan and sought an investigation by an independent agency. Jaafar said that they believe the military men instigated the Friday’s fatal clash.
Meanwhile, government troops said that the MILF members who were killed were drawn into the fighting because their family members were part of the Abu Sayyaf men involved in the shootout.
Deles insists that despite the animosity, the peace pact—signed two weeks ago in lieu of the Bangsamoro agreement—will hold and will be continuously honored by both the government and the MILF.
“This will not affect the entire peace process… The resolve of both parties has not waned.” Deles told Agence France-Presse.
“We are still confident that the MILF leadership can bring a huge bulk of their fighters into the fold of the law,” Deles added.
The government also expects a “small number” of the rebels may choose to go against the peace treaty. In such a case, Deles says that any actions compromising the dignity of the agreement will be “subjected to law enforcement activities.”
The Abu Sayyaf is still believed to be holding foreign hostages—including the Chinese tourist abducted from a Malaysian resort on April 2nd—in an island in the southern region.
With report from Agence France-Presse and InterAksyon.com
