This refers to the news report, “Philippines, Muslim rebels forge peace deal” (Oct. 8). Wars bring nothing but deaths, destruction, hatred, and economic deprivation. War negotiations on the other hand are a best way to solve all problems.
Three months ago, the Colombian government signed a deal with the FARC rebels to start a peace process ending 60 years of armed conflict that cost thousands of innocent lives. Now, the Philippine government has reached a peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) after 40 years of bloodshed killing several thousand people. The agreement followed several rounds of talks between the government and the MILF.
Philippine President Benigno Aquino and MILF leader Murad Ebrahim had held a meeting in Japan too where the rebel leader had urged the Philippine government to halt military offensive in the rebel areas. Formed in 1960, the rebel group, active in the southern state of Mindanao, has been fighting for a separate land.
The Philippine army has launched several major offensive in MILF stronghold and killed many of its key leaders. Several thousand people lost their lives in retaliatory attacks affecting the lives of ordinary people in the region. After the peace agreement, the president in a speech expressed hope that both sides would abide by the peace agreement to usher in a peaceful era in the south of the country. — Khawaja Umer Farooq, Jeddah
Talks the only way
