Palace hopeful on next round of talks between government, MILF

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 19): Palace hopeful on next round of talks between government, MILF

Malacañang on Sunday expressed optimism the upcoming next round of peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front will finally address the contentious issues blocking the way to a final peace agreement.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said the government is hopeful both sides will reach an agreement to finally end the conflict.

"Maaring ito na ang huling yugto ng negosasyon sa pagitan ng pamahalaan at ng MILF (It could be the final round of talks between the government and the MILF)," Coloma said on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

He said a final agreement would be a big boost to democracy and peace especially in Mindanao.

Last December, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process said it and the MILF will aim to finalize the remaining Annex on Normalization, as well as an addendum on the Bangsamoro waters.

It said the Annex on Normalization will concretize the vision for a post-conflict Bangsamoro.

Also, the government aims to work closely with the Transition Commission and Congress to ensure the smooth passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=606945