Peace Update: Gov't addresses Mindanao peace, dev't | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online

Gov't addresses Mindanao peace, dev't | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online: "The Philippine government has stressed that while it is resolved in reaching a negotiated political settlement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and other rebel groups within its term, it is also bent on addressing the development needs of conflict areas.

The statement was made by Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel chairman Marvic Leonen during a recent forum held at the Ambion Room of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law at Malcolm Hall, UP Diliman. Joining him was Dean Jukipli Wadi of the UP Institute of Islamic Studies.

In his lecture titled “Understanding the Context: Possibilities for Peace in Mindanao,” Leonen explained how conflict disrupts development - not only locally but also nationally. He said with underdevelopment comes a host of other problems including corruption, misallocation of resources and injustices.

“In the administration’s goal to reach a just, comprehensive, workable and negotiated political settlement, we also have to proceed with the development of the area. We cannot stand idly by when we think of basic services and economic development. The promise of the President is good governance and anything that will be committed, will be done. Anything that has been promised will be complied with,” Leonen said."