Bombings won't derail peace talks with MILF - Razon

MANILA, Philippines — The government on Tuesday assured that the series of bombings in Mindanao would not derail the peace process with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). "Tuloy parin po ang ating peace process and we are giving peace a chance para po sa kapakanan ng mamamayan natin sa Mindanao," said presidential adviser on the peace process Avelino Razon Jr. in an interview on radio dzBB. [The peace talks will still push through and we are giving peace a chance for the welfare of our countrymen in Mindanao.] Razon said while it is possible that the blasts were intended to disrupt the expected resumption of peace talks, they are still hopeful that the government and the MILF would go back to the negotiating table to finally end the 40-year conflict in southern Philippines. "Panahon na para makatikim naman ng kapayapaan, kaayusan at kasaganahan ang ating mga kababayan dun sa Mindanao[It’s high time that Filipinos living in Mindanao experience peace and order]," he said. He however said they have yet to establish the date when the peace talks would resume. Razon gave the assurance hours after the two separate bombings in Iligan and Jolo claimed the lives of six people and injured 40 others. The first explosion occurred when an improvised explosive device (IED) went off at about 7:55 a.m. in Poblacion village along Sanchez Street in Jolo. Three hours later, another bomb went off in Iligan City. On Sunday morning, an IED planted at a lechon (roasted pig) house in front of the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral in Cotabato City killed five people and injured 29 others. The night before, another blast caused by a 60-millimeter mortar explosive in Barangay Buayan in Datu Piang town in Maguindanao province injured three. The peace talks with the MILF were stalled August last year after the Supreme Court declared as unconstitutional the controversial deal between the government and the MILF, which would set up the Bangsamoro homeland with the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) as its governing body in parts of Mindanao. Under the agreement, the BJE would have the power to set up its own security, trade, education, elections, and the right to explore and develop natural resources in the said territory. - GMANews.TV