Press Release
September 16, 2008

Kiko on Mindanao crisis:
'Talk peace not limited warfare'

Less than two weeks before the end of Ramadan, Senate Majority Leader and Independent senator Kiko Pangilinan today pushed for the resumption of peace talks with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to end hostilities that began in Mindanao last month.

"Let's stop arguing about what President Arroyo actually said about limiting bombings and airstrikes since those are temporary concessions," said Kiko. "What we should look for is a more permanent solution that is not pegged on seasonal ceasefires. There is no reason why we should give up on peace even if it means starting all over again with the negotiations."

Separatist groups like the MILF have been fighting for autonomy in Muslim Mindanao since the time of President Ferdinand E. Marcos. Warfare again resumed in the area after the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order preventing the government from signing an agreement allowing for independence upon the leadership of the MILF.

"May pinaglalaban talaga sila. Hindi natin iyan maikakaila. Pero paano naman ang mga inosenteng sibilyan na naiipit sa crossfire? Wala silang laban dito. Dapat lang na pag-usapan muli ang kapayapaan maski para sa iba'y masakit na sa pandinig dahil makailang ulit na natin iyang ipinapanawagan. Nakalulungkot na nga na tila nagiging manhid na ang mga Filipino sa usaping eto. Pero hindi tayo kailnman dapat magsawa sa panawagan ito. Isipin natin kung tayo ang nawalan ng bahay, kabuhayan, mahal sa buhay, maging pag-asa. Magiging manhid pa ba tayo? Huwag nating ipamana pa sa susunod na henerasyon ang karahasang ito."

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