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President unveils new approach to attaining peace in Mindanao
President Gloria Arroyo unveiled a new approach in the government's effort to a lasting peace effort in Mindanao as she kicked off a round of visits to the southern main island.
- By Gilbert Felongco, Correspondent
- Published: 23:58 January 6, 2009
Manila: President Gloria Arroyo unveiled a new approach in the government's effort to a lasting peace effort in Mindanao as she kicked off a round of visits to the southern main island.
A statement released by the palace in Manila, said Arroyo revealed during her visit to Iligan City the government's formula to attain peace in Mindanao labelled as "Two Ps" - Peace Talks for all, and Projects for Peace.
"The start of 2009 should mark the renewal of sustained, intense and vigorous efforts to ensure the fulfilment of the government's Mindanao Agenda, an agenda of two main planks and anchored on two Ps - Peace talks for all and Projects for Peace," the President was quoted by the palace as saying, during the first full Cabinet meeting for the new year at the Macaraeg-Macapagal ancestral home.
Arroyo said the plan hinges on a turnkey initiative to jumpstart peace talks by first achieving peace before progress.
Investments
"The first plank, a long-lasting peace, must be put in place by stilling the guns of war, drawing the biblical theme of turning swords into ploughs," she said.
Nine years after assuming the presidency with the ouster of her predecessor Joseph Estrada, Arroyo said she remains undeterred in her quest for Mindanao's elusive peace.
The second plank, projects for peace, involves increased government investments in Mindanao and fast-tracking on-going development projects in the area.
Crime
Vice Mayor shot dead
Vice-Mayor Froilan Rufino was shot dead in the southern Philippines late on Monday, making him the first victim of a political killing this year, police have said.
Rufino was shot three times in the head by gunmen, near the local government official's home in President Quirino town, said police chief of Sultan Kudarat, Senior Supt Benhur Mongao.
- By Barbara Mae Dacanay,Manila Bureau chief
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