City gov’t, Sec Deles, met to discuss issues concerning peace process

By: Sheila Covarrubias

ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 18, (PIA) - - The city government oif Zamboanga headed by Mayor Celso Lobregat and House Deputy Speaker Beng Climaco met with Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Ding Deles and Government Peace Panel chairman Marvic Leonen Thursday night to clarify issues concerning the ongoing peace process.

The meeting, which was a prelude to today’s multi-stakeholders meeting at the Garden Orchid Hotel, was also attended by members of the City Council and other city officials and was held at the City Hall conference.

Mayor Lobregat said the meeting will tackle issues concerning the status of the ongoing peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), what have been agreed on during the series of exploratory talks, resource sharing and the question as to whether or not Zamboanga City is included in the ‘sub-state’ that the MILF is demanding and numerous other concerns.

The mayor has been asking the government peace panel to come and consult with Zamboanguenos and other areas in the region before it enters into an agreement with the MILF.

He stressed that Zamboanga City’s stand for non-inclusion in the any entity, state or sub-state under the ARMM remains firm and steadfast.

When informed that the government peace panel is arriving in the city to meet with him, Cong. Climaco and other city officials, Mayor Lobregat asked that another meeting be set to include other sectors in the city to ensure that it is a genuine and an honest to goodness consultation.

The GRP-MILF peace panels during its 27^th round of exploratory talks inMalaysia recently signed the so called GPH-MILF decision points on principles as of April 2012, a document which shall serve as guide to the discussions on the substantive agenda of the negotiations.

The two parties are set to meet again this month. (JPA/SC/CIO/PIA9-ZBST)