MANILA, (PNA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III sent a strong message Thursday saying that it’s up to Mindanao elements to choose between war and peace, and underscored the government’s readiness to respond on whatever their preference may be.
“’Yung patakaran natin, handang makipag-usap nang mapayapa at makipag-dayalogo, ay talagang haharapin natin at ini-encourage natin. Ang mga tao namang maglalagay sa lahat ng mga mamamayan sa panganib ay talaga namang haharapin din ng estado,” the President said in an interview during an assessment in Zamboanga City airport on Thursday.
“Kung mapayapa kang haharap, mapayapa kang haharapin ng gobyerno para magkaroon ng kaayusan—sa English ‘permanent peace’. Pero ‘pag ang gusto mo naman ay pairalin lang ‘yung sa iyo at maghahasik ka ng lagim sa nakakarami, hindi rin papayagan ng gobyerno ‘yon.”
The President, who has been staying in Zamboanag since last week to oversee the ongoing military operations and relief efforts, said his administration has not abandoned the peace discussions even to groups sowing terror in Zamboanga City.
He said his administration remains committed to the tripartite dialogue on the implementation of the 1996 peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) adding he encourages all the factions of the MNLF to participate.
But for those who will choose violence as a way to advance their interests, the President said his administration will always be willing to use the full force of the state to subdue any threat to regional peace.
The government and the MNLF was supposed to meet in Indonesia this week, but MNLF leader Nur Misuari pulled out of the talks, the President said, bolstering suspicions that Misuari really has a hand in the ongoing Zamboanga standoff.Indonesia facilitates the tripartite talks between the Philippine government and the MNLF.
Only one group of MNLF has spearheaded violent confrontations in Zamboanga, he said adding other factions of the MNLF have denounced the actions of MNLF-Misuari faction.
The President also assured the people of Zamboanga that the government will remain committed to extending assistance to the conflict-victims as well as to rebuilding the city once the standoff is over.