NEWSFLASH

MILF-GOVT PEACE TALKS RESUME

Cotabato City, March 2, 2000 Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado confirmed that peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) resumed yesterday. Fierce clashes disrupted the negotiations last month and there were fears of prolonged suspension in the negotiations.

The President is personally supervising the peace negotiations being held at the presidential yacht which is docked in Davao City. Mr. Estrada has been holding office on board the yacht since he started his Mindanao tour five days ago.

Mercado said he met government negotiators before they met MILF representatives here.

"We're very confident that in spite of the skirmishes, in spite of the accusations, in spite of the encounters, I think we can pursue negotiations," he said. "It's not easy to turn people who're shooting each other into friends at the negotiating table but we have to try, and try hard."

The peace talks began in January and a second round was to have started last Feb. 21 but was suspended because of the clashes. The two sides later agreed to restart the talks and halt clashes in Maguindanao and two nearby provinces.

The talks are being held after a series of recent deadly bombings in Mindanao, which some military officials have blamed on the MILF.

President Estrada assured the people that the series of terrorist bombings in Mindanao will not spill over to Metro Manila as some quarters have predicted.

"No it will not spread to Metro Manila," the President said. "The bombings are isolated and they are only blown out of proportion by the media."

MILF vice chairman Al Haj Murad denied any rebel involvement in the bombings and said a disgruntled faction in the Armed Forces could be instigating violence in Mindanao and making it appear the rebels were responsible.