Malacañang: Aquino government sincere in efforts to win peace and development in Mindanao

MALACANANG assured Monday that the Aquino government is sincere in its efforts to win the peace that has long been elusive in the conflict-ridden parts of the country.

In an ambush interview following the celebration of the 44th Foundation Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) at the Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Pasay City on Monday, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said that President Benigno S. Aquino III has a clear grasp of the ongoing peace negotiations adding that all concerned government agencies have been exerting all
out measures to attain this common goal.

Coloma said that the actions being undertaken by the government peace panel are geared towards the interest of the Filipino people.

The PCOO chief also said that the talks to end the decades-old conflict is an active and changing process as he noted the possible development it could incur, especially in the Mindanao region.

Late last week, President Aquino met with Moro Islamic Liberation Front chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim where they have committed to forge a final agreement to end the conflict in Mindanao within the next five years.

The said meeting took place at the Ana Crowne Hotel in Narita, a suburb of Tokyo in Japan.

In their two-hour meeting, the parties agreed to discuss possible approaches in moving the peace process forward. Both agreed to fast track the negotiations. (PCOO)