ARMM officials want observers in peace talks

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao — To get a clearer view of the peace process, officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) want to take part in the formal talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

This, they want to do by designating representatives from each of the region’s five provincial peace and order councils, as "observers."

The ARMM groups Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Sulu, and Marawi City.

Maguindanao Gov. Datu Andal Ampatuan said taking part in the talks as observers will help them formulate policies complementing President Arroyo’s peace initiatives in the South.

Ampatuan said his grandson, Datu Sham Ampatuan, mayor of Datu Saudi Ampatuan town and president of the provincial mayors’ league, is willing to stand as an observer in the peace talks.

Mino Arimao, mayor of Masiu, Lanao del Sur, said Mrs. Arroyo should heed their clamor to be involved in the talks to boost her administration’s confidence-building measures.

In Lanao del Sur alone, Arimao said he and his fellow mayors are actively involved in low-level peace initiatives to avert confrontations between military and MILF forces in their respective municipalities.

Arimao said local MILF leaders keep their communication lines open when security problems arise.

"There have been no violent incidents in Lanao del Sur in the past months and this is enough proof that our peace initiatives are gaining headway," he said.

The government and the MILF started their peace talks on Jan. 7, 1997.