ZAMBOANGA CITY, 8 January 2006 — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) yesterday assured Manila of its support to the new government peace adviser, Jesus Dureza, and urged him to help in the ongoing peace talks in an effort to end more three decades of fighting in Mindanao.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed Dureza on Friday as presidential adviser on the peace process in-charge of all peace negotiations with the Muslim and communist insurgents, replacing Teresita Deles who resigned last year.
“We welcome the appointment of Secretary Jesus Dureza and we are optimistic that with his vast experience in peace negotiations and background on the problems of Mindanao, he will be able to help and contribute largely to the ongoing peace talks between the MILF and the government,” MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu told Arab News.
Before his new appointment, Dureza was the government’s chief peace negotiator and concurrently chairman of the Mindanao Economic Development Council. He played a key role in forging a truce with the MILF in 2001.
Kabalu said the MILF will work closely with Dureza and help in the government’s rehabilitation efforts in Mindanao, especially in poor Muslim communities.
“There is a lot of work in Mindanao and we really want to help in developing the region into a peace zone, and Secretary Dureza can help us realize this dream by sincerely demonstrating his solid commitment to the peace process,” he said.
Mindanao political leaders and many civic and business organizations also cited Dureza’s appointment, saying, he is well respected and active in pursuing the government’s peace agenda in the south.
Dureza, who was a former member of the House of Representatives, is also President Arroyo’s adviser for Mindanao affairs.
As Arroyo’s adviser, Dureza is to pursue a comprehensive peace process agenda anchored on a community-based comprehensive peace process reflecting the sentiments, values and principles important to all Filipinos.
