Cotabato guv backs creation of new Armm

KIDAPAWAN CITY -- Cotabato Governor Lala Taliño-Mendoza reiterated her commitment to support the ongoing peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

In a meeting with some mayors from the province's conflict areas on Thursday, Mendoza said she has full confidence on the peace panel.

She is hopeful that a peace accord, which is expected to end the decades-long conflict in Mindanao, would be signed soon.

"The Province of North Cotabato is supportive of the peace accord with the guarantee of a plebiscite," she said during the meeting.

Mendoza met with the mayors of the municipalities of Pikit, Aleosan, Midsayap, Pigcawayan, Carmen and Kabacan - towns considered as “conflict areas.”

Also, these towns are deemed to be affected in the proposed creation of a new autonomous political entity.

The governor, however, assured the public that during a plebiscite the will of the people is respected.

She said she is pushing for a plebiscite to protect the interests and welfare of the people.

"Plebiscite is our legal guarantee to a democratic set-up," she said.

No cases would also be filed against any agency, including the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process that is working for the establishment of the NPE.