Tuesday, August 19, 2008 Councilors back Ulama's bid to broker peace talks By Grace L. Plata
AWARE of the effect of the ongoing encounters between military troops and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), members of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) expressed their support to the Bishops-Ulama Conference (BUC) initiative to broker the peace talks.
Davao City Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, who is also PCL national treasurer, said Monday that the national leadership of the PCL is set to meet within the next two weeks in order to plot a plan of action on how respective area situations will dealt with.
"Our fellow Mindanaoan councilors are worried. They fear the conflict will continue to escalate. So the efforts of the BUC are most welcome. But we are also planning on measures to help protect the people," Dayanghirang said.
Dayanghirang said BUC efforts are most fitting for Mindanao instead of the government negotiating panel.
"They do not know the sentiments of the Mindanaoans because they are not from here. So, it is wrong in principle to let them negotiate on our behalf," he said. (GLP)
