Cayetano wants PNoy to replace peace panel members

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday asked the government if the Moro Islamic Liberation Frount (MILF) could be trusted as a partner for the peace process.

During his privilege speech, Cayetano insisted that the MILF was coddling terrorists such as Zulkifli Bin Hir, alias Marwan, and Basit Usman.

"Bakit tila nagbubulag-bulagan ang gobyerno sa hindi pagtupad ng MILF sa pinaka-basic na kundisyon para sa kapayapaan at para sa peace talks tulad ng hindi pagkupkop sa mga kriminal at terorista?" Cayetano asked.

Cayetano noted that the government was negotiating out of fear, citing that the previous administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo used to give conditions on the peace process and not the other way around which is the current situation.

"Bakit tayo tinatakot ng Government Peace Panel at ng MILF na kung hindi natin ipapasa ang BBL ay magkakaroon ng gyera? Bakit tila binigay ng gobyerno ang lahat ng hiningi ng MILF?" Cayetano said.

The Senate Majority Leader added that the MILF could not even follow the peace agreement's basic condition to not protect criminals and terrorists.

Cayetano added that the government peace panel was aware that the MILF was coddling Marwan and Usman but did not inform the administration.

He stressed that the Mamasapano encounter, which left 44 police commandos dead, would not have happened if the MILF was not coddling terrorists.

"We've been fooled by MILF that they want peace when all they want is absolute power," Cayetano said.

The senator called on President Benigno Aquino III to replace the members of the government peace panel.

"We should negotiate for peace but we should be ready to fight for peace. We should live for peace but we should be ready die for peace," the Senate Majority Leader said.

He noted that even if the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) was passed, there would still be a war in Mindanao due to the ongoing arms race in the region.

The senator suggested that the government should learn from the mistakes of previous peace processes.

According to a report, the government will allot P117 billion for the first year of the implementation of the BBL.