Palace to critics: Let’s give peace a chance

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang called on the public yesterday to stop finding blame for the massacre of 44 police commandos in Maguindanao, saying this would stand in the way of the government’s long quest for peace in Mindanao.

“It perhaps would be best if we comply with the call to give peace a chance,” Press Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said yesterday in an interview with state-run radio dzRB, as he lauded the United Nations for expressing support for the government’s peace initiative.

“We should recognize the many years when war and violence were used to resolve (rebellion) but they never led to stability and tranquility for our fellow citizens,” he said.

“The government is pleased to note that the UN expressed its support for the government’s continued efforts to initiate and push for the peace process,” he added.

In a statement, the UN team in Manila declared it is one with the victims “who lost their lives in the tragic incident of Jan. 25 in Mamasapano in Mindanao and expresses its condolences to the affected families.”

The UN team said they welcome the investigations by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front into the incident and the commitments expressed by President Aquino, MILF chairman Ebrahim Murad and other concerned parties “in regard to sustaining focus” on the peace process.

“We welcome also the reaffirmation by the peace negotiating panels to strengthen their cooperation and coordination in addressing security concerns in the most effective and appropriate manner, and also in rebuilding trust and public confidence in the peace process,” the statement read.

The UN declared that the UN Peace Building Fund will release resources to support various aspects of the peace process and that it “looks forward to further progress through the combined efforts of all involved parties.”