Guerrilla peace talks extended

Fri, 14 Jan 2000 | Source: AFP

MANILA (AFP): Philippine President Joseph Estrada said on Thursday he was extending the deadline for sealing a peace agreement between the government and Muslim separatist guerrillas to June.

Speaking at a foreign correspondents' forum, Estrada said he was extending a previous Dec. 31 deadline for a peace accord with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) by six months on the recommendation of his peace panel.

Asked what would happen if no peace accord was signed by then, Estrada said "If the need arises, I have to assert there is only one government in the Philippines."

Government and MILF negotiators are to resume formal peace talks next week to try for a political settlement to the 21-year rebellion.

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