May 28, 2012 News: An erstwhile ally but now a political enemy of Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat, who is also a congressman, reiterated his call for the government peace panel currently working with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to hammer out a peace accord in Mindanao in order to have peace in Mindanao.

Congressman Erbie Fabian’s call came in the heel of his dumping out as candidate for the mayoralty race in Zamboanga City by the ruling party of Lobregat in the coming national elections in May 2013.

He called on the government peace panel to keep the people informed of all major points of agreements especially the GPH-MILF Agreement on Decision Points in Principle signed by both sides in Malaysia on April 24.

The solon said he shared the views of the local leadership on the matter and threw his full support on the move to ask the GPH panel headed by lawyer Marvic Leonen and Secretary Teresita Deles to explain these agreed points with the MILF.

He explained that this has always been his stand on the matter for people here to be appraised every step of the way on the progress of the talks and for the people to decide approve or reject the accord by way of a plebiscite.

This is the rightful way to go for both sides to work out the accord in accordance with the highest law of the land, our constitution, Fabian added.

Fabian reiterated his stand on the matter saying he was all for a peace accord in Mindanao if only to finally end the long drawn conflict here with the various rebel groups but stressed the people's will must be respected when they do decide on the matter by way of a plebiscite.

Peace accord is a welcome development but it must be a peace borne out of mutual understanding and respect for everyone he said.

The Aquino government has assured through Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Secretary Teresita Deles recently that before there is an initialing of a document that is to be signed, it is going to be publicized.

Deles said the President gives high value to this principle to ensure that any peace agreement entered into by the government will have the support of the people. Hence, it serves as a guide for the OPAPP and the government peace panel in the conduct of the negotiations.