RP peace pacts promising

The Philippines clearly has weathered, and defeated, two serious armed rebellions. The communist insurrection caused violence throughout almost the entire country during the 1980s.

At least 40,000 died in bitter fighting that included terror attacks in Manila, set-piece battles in the countryside, and some of the most brutal communist purges outside the Khmer Rouge.

At the same time, a second struggle was underway in the far south. Muslim secessionists demanded and fought for independence from the central government.

The overthrow of President Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 was a turning point in both those wars.

The democratic regimes of Presidents Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos dropped the outright confrontation policies of the former dictator.

Amnesty and social programs from Manila convinced many of the leaders and most of the followers of both rebellions to stop fighting.

Mrs. Aquino and Gen. Ramos opened dialogs and formal peace talks with both the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Official peace accords, however, continue to elude Gen. Ramos' government.

Next week, in Belgium, Manila negotiators will meet once again to try to hammer out a formal accord with communist leaders, most of whom live in Holland.

And by next month, talks also are expected to begin between President Ramos' envoys and MNLF leaders in Jakarta.

Although the fighting between government troops and the rebels has dwindled to practically nothing, there are important and compelling reasons that the talks should be pursued and successful.

Peace pacts will not solve all the Philippines' security problems, to be sure.

The Abu Sayyaf group in particular is a movement with which Manila must contend.

The extremists last week threatened to kill the southern commander of the army, Lieutenant General Edgardo Batenga, for ordering military attacks on the group.

The attack on the southern town of Ipil nearly three months ago sent shock waves through the region. The clear involvement of foreign hands in the group is a serious matter.

President Ramos must succeed in establishing official peace with former communist and Muslim enemies.

Peace agreements will go a long way towards isolating the very small number of violent dissidents. Filipinos can then unite against the tiny, hate-filled bands who choose violence over reason.

Failure to sign formal pacts with the former rebels risks more war, an event the Philippines hardly needs.

-- The Bangkok Post