Philippine priest rejects offer to lead peace talks with Muslim rebels
MANILA, Philippines: A Roman Catholic priest turned down an offer on Wednesday to become the Philippine government's chief negotiator in peace talks with Muslim militants, after the guerrillas criticized the choice of a religious rather than political figure.
Presidential adviser on the peace process, Jesus Dureza, announced last week that the Rev. Eliseo Mercado had been named chairman of the government panel negotiating a settlement of a bloody rebellion by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the southern Philippines.
The Malaysian-brokered peace talks are regarded by both U.S. and Philippine governments as crucial to ending three decades of insurgency that have set back economic development in the mineral-rich region. They are also seen as key to preventing rebel strongholds from becoming breeding grounds for al-Qaida-linked militants.
The peace process, which was initiated under then-President Fidel Ramos, has been ongoing since 1997.
Mercado, 59, was to have taken over from Silvestre Afable Jr., who stepped down to return to the private sector after serving nearly four years, Dureza said.
Mercado's appointment, however, was strongly criticized by the guerrillas, who said the choice could introduce religious color and complicate the already shaky negotiations, which have stalled over a disagreement over rebel territorial demands.
The rebels said they respected Mercado, a well-known peace activist, but that they preferred a high-level statesman and not a Catholic priest, whose appointment could be questioned because of the traditional separation of church and state.
Mercado said he found the criticism valid and did not want to become an obstacle to the talks. He said he had informed President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, through Dureza, and the guerrillas of his rejection.
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