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Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles expressed optimism that theGovernment of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front(MILF) peace panels will build on what has already been achieved during thelast round of negotiations.

In a press statement, government peaceadviser Deles announced that the GPH and MILF panels will meet today in KualaLumpur for the 28th formal exploratory talks.

"We are hoping that the next round oftalks will be able to build on the gains established with the signing of theDecision Points on Principles during the April meeting,” she said in astatement over the weekend.

Last month, both parties signed the DecisionPoints on Principles which contains 10 mutually identified standpoints thatwill serve as the framework for discussions towards crafting the final peaceagreement.

“The GPH panel goes to KL having undergoneintensive preparations for the substantive agenda which are on the table. Theseare difficult issues which may test the will and patience of the two parties,”the peace adviser added.

In preparation for the talks this month, theGPH panel conducted consultations with various stakeholders, which includedsenators, congressmen, local chief executives in Mindanao, business leaders andUlama, to know their sentiments and gather their inputs on the GPH-MILF peaceprocess.

“We pray for the two panels to be able to bridge thegaps between the parties' positions and expand common grounds towards the peaceour people have long desired and which our country badly needs to achievelasting progress," concluded Deles.

by: OPAPP/RVC/PIA9-ZBST