Sunday 16 June 2013

PIA News Dispatch - Saturday, June 15, 2013



Palace hopes govt, MILF panels resolve remaining issues in peace talks

Malacanang hopes that the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels could soon resolve the three remaining annexes in the peace talks for the eventual signing of a peace agreement with Muslim separatists.

The MILF, particularly its ground commanders, reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the recent pace of the talks as both sides miss the target date for the signing of a final peace pact.

But Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said both sides have been spending longer time in threshing out the three remaining annexes which negotiators considered delicate.

“Ang tatlo kasing annexes na natira, medyo mabigat ang mga nilalalaman, and of course, it is in everybody’s interest na upuan nang mabuti at suriin kung ano ang mga ilalaman ng mga annexes na ito,” Valte said in a radio interview Saturday over government-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

“Again, we’re hoping to see a resolution to this and we’re hoping for a way forward from the three annexes that are left.”

Asked about the government’s position on wealth-sharing, Valte decline to answer saying she’s leaving some details of the discussions to be announced the panels.

“Siguro mas mabuting hintayin natin ang magiging final resolution bago tayo magbigay ng komento dito. But, rest assured that the government panel is working with their counterpart on this,” she said.

The Philippine government and the MILF signed in October 15 last year the Framework Agreement for Mindanao peace aimed at ending decades-old separatist struggle of Muslims in the South.

Then government peace panel chairman Marvic Leonen and his MILF counterpart Mohagher Iqbal signed the historic roadmap to peace in a ceremony witnessed by President Benigno S. Aquino III, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Murad and members of the negotiating panels of both sides.

The President said at the time, that he hopes that signing would lead to positive changes while acknowledging that there are many things that have to be done to fully reap the fruits of the Framework Agreement.

Last year’s signing comes after 15 years of negotiations between the government and the MILF, and 40 years of conflict in Mindanao with a casualty figure of more than 150,000. PND (as)


Palace welcomes improving global peace rating

Malacanang welcomed the improvement of the country’s global peace rating, although slightly, noting the administration has been addressing the domestic peace and security concerns.

“When it comes to that, maganda naman na tumaas ang ranking natin because we’ve been taking concrete steps to address peace-related issues that have been confronting the administration,” Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview Saturday over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

“Moving forward siyempre, hindi naman dahil tumaas lang nang kaunti ang ranking ay ititigil na natin ang mga efforts. Of course, these efforts and these actions will continue,” she added.

According to the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2013 released this week by the Institute for Economics and Peace, the Philippines remains among the “least peaceful” countries in the world and the Asia Pacific, improving only slightly in its global ranking.

The GPI said its recent ranking showed the Philippines placing 129th among 162 countries surveyed, a six-notch improvement over its ranking of 133 in 2012 and 135 a year before that.

The GPI said it saw improved prospects for peace between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front following the signing of a framework deal last year for a potential peace agreement.

Despite this development however, the Philippines remained “among the least peaceful countries in Asia Pacific,” along with Thailand and Myanmar, that face domestic civil conflict.

Listed as the least peaceful countries are Afghanistan (162), Somalia (161), Syria (160), Iraq (159), Sudan (158), Pakistan (157), Democratic Republic of Congo (156), Russia (155), North Korea (154) and Central African Republic (153).

Iceland was the most peaceful country based on GPI’s ranking. This is largely because of Iceland’s political stability, low homicide rate and small prison population.

The other top peaceful countries include Denmark, New Zealand, Austria, Switzerland, Japan, Finland, Canada, Sweden and Belgium. PND (as)


Govt still targets zero-casualty against disasters

The government still adheres to its zero-casualty policy as the typhoons start to enter the country, a Palace official said on Saturday.

“The target remains the same, ‘yung zero casualty natin, at sana po wala namang matinding bagyo na pumasok ngunit lahat naman tayo ay naghahanda para sa onset of the rainy season,” Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

Valte said the President has instructed government agencies to prioritize the welfare of the most vulnerable during times of calamities.

"Ang DSWD [Department of Social Welfare and Development], ang NDRRMC [National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council], ang DILG [Department of the Interior and Local Government] at ang mga kaakibat na agencies, lahat naman nag-a-anticipate na dahil papasok na ang typhoon season,” Valte said.

These agencies have been working together for pro-active measures or protocol that will be followed whenever a typhoon enters the Philippine area of responsibility, she added.

Meanwhile, with regards to the sea mishap involving a roll-on, roll-off vessel in Masbate, Valte said the immediate concern of the President is the ongoing rescue operations for the remaining passengers lost at sea.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) augmented its search and rescue personnel to find the passengers that have to be accounted for.

“I understand that the AFP also sent its own search and rescue units to help. Ngayong umaga, I was updated by the PCG at sinabi nila na itinutuloy nila ang search and rescue with the help of the AFP and Bantay-dagat,” she said. PND (as)