European grant to aid peace talks in Mindanao

Manila: In an effort to help facilitate the immediate resumption of peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the European Commission on Monday allocated an additional one million euros (Dh5.17 million).

It is intended for the promotion of dialogue and confidence building in Southern Philippines.

The amount is on top of the 2.5 million euros allocated over the weekend to fund assistance for some 310,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the conflict affected areas in Southern Philippines.

Ambassador Alistair Macdonald, head of the delegation of the European Commission to the Philippines, said the grant is to be implemented within 18 months by three non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

The NGOs include the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, the Non-Violent Peace Force, and the Mindanao People's Caucus.

Role of civil society

Ambassador Macdonald led a delegation of envoys from EU member countries to Maguindanao from December 15-17.

"Civil society has an essential role to play in helping support the peace process and build a broader momentum for peace," he said.

"The EU is pleased to be able to work with these three NGOs in complementing the efforts of the government to strengthen dialogue, and to help build a climate of confidence in which peace can be rebuilt."

The envoy reiterated the regional bloc's statement on September 15 expressing the EU's serious concern on the worsening violence in Mindanao and the increase in the number of casualties and IDPs. "The EU believes that the conflict in Mindanao can only be resolved through dialogue," stressed the EU statement.

It called upon all parties to show restraint and genuine respect for the rule of law and urged the government and the MILF to agree to an early return to the negotiating table in order to seek a lasting solution to the conflict.

The EU envoys' visit to evacuation centres in Maguindanao had confirmed the imperative need for an end to the conflict, if the plight of the more than 300,000 internally-displaced persons was to be addressed, said Macdonald.

"Local and national government, assisted by the international community, are working hard to ensure that proper care is given to these innocent victims of the conflict," he said.

"But the situation remains very serious, and I very much hope that this support for civil-society confidence-building activities will help smooth the path to peace."

Police kill 8 robbers

Philippine police fatally shot eight suspected robbers north of Manila in a second deadly shootout this month, officials said on Monday, raising questions over their heavy-handed tactics.

Acting on a tip, police were following the suspects on Sunday when they broke into a wealthy businessman's house in northern Tarlac province, triggering a clash that killed two men, said Chief Superintendent Leon Nilo de la Cruz.

He said the suspects were armed with .38 caliber revolvers and belonged to notorious robbery gangs that have been raiding the homes of the wealthy.