MILF wants written peace offer

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said yesterday it was willing to resume talks with the government but wants President Arroyo to first put her peace offer in writing.

MILF officials said the President’s order to unilaterally suspend military operations against them was a welcome development but that any halt in fighting must be covered by a formal agreement.

"We have to agree first on resumption of talks," MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu told Reuters by telephone. "All other issues, including a ceasefire, are secondary."

Mrs. Arroyo on Tuesday announced she had ordered the military to suspend their offensive against the MILF to clear the way for resumption of peace talks which collapsed last year.

Justice Secretary Hernando Perez said yesterday the government was also withdrawing murder charges against MILF chief Salamat Hashim and other rebel leaders as a gesture of good faith to hasten the resumption of negotiations. – John Unson, Roel Pareño, Paolo Romero