MANILA, Philippines - The United States ambassador on Wednesday warned against implementing an "all-out war" policy versus the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, saying that it will not remedy the escalating turmoil in Mindanao.
The US government position was made public by Ambassador Kristie Kenney during a visit to Quezon City Mayor Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte.
The warning came a day after former President Joseph Estrada urged the government to declare an "all-out war" against the MILF.
"(An all out war) is never the way that leads to a lasting peace," Kenney told reporters during her visit at the Office of Quezon City mayor on Wednesday noon.
Clad in a black attire, Kenney encouraged the government and the MILF to go back to the negotiating table to work out a peaceful measure for the conflict in strife-torn areas in Mindanao.
"We certainly hope that violence ends. Violence is not a way that leads to peace," Kenney said.
Instead of resorting to violence, she said the government should focus on extending assistance to the thousands of affected residents in the region.
The US government - which has deployed thousands of troops in the ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq - had also been accused by some sectors in the Philippines of having a hand in the ongoing peace talks between government and the MILF.
The group Bayan - in a statement - had said that the US government wanted the talks to continue so that it would have a stable base for its troops and investments and to curry the favor of the MILF.
On Wednesday, Kenney said that her government indeed is helping the Philippine government.
However, she said that the only support that the US is contributing to the Philippine government is through "practical assistance."
"We are working with the Red Cross and Save The Children, (and extending) very practical assistance. We are looking at food tents and sort of things that help people for what we hope will be a short stay out of their homes," said Kenney.
Stressing the US government's focus on helping Mindanao, Kenney said that almost 60 percent of this year's almost $150-million US financial assistance to the country goes to the development of the region.
She even lauded the military and the police for restoring peace and order in the area previously occupied by supposed "breakaway" factions of the MILF in North Cotabato, as well as assaults in Lanao del Norte and Sarangani.
"The AFP and the police are doing a good job of restoring stability and the rule of law," she said.
In March 2000, former President Estrada declared an all-out war against the MILF which culminated in the military's capture of the rebel group's main camp.
On Tuesday, the former president urged the Arroyo government to again declare an all-out war against the MILF.
This was countered by MILF deputy spokesman Khaled Musa who scored Estrada, saying that it was "pointless" to argue with a "convicted criminal, a plunderer and an aging womanizer."
Former defense secretary Fortunato Abat has already been quoted in a radio report as supporting Estrada's appeal to the government to take up arms against the MILF.
Abat however clarified that he was still open to the idea of reopening the negotiating table for both the government and the MILF.
He also suggested that the talks be held inside the country, cautioning that negotiating in a foreign land could lead to foreign intervention.
Kenney graced the Quezon City Hall at around 11:30 a.m. to pay a courtesy visit to the mayor during the weekly meeting of local city officials.
After her city hall visit, Kenney also dropped by to the University of the Philippines and the Ateneo de Manila for separate speaking engagements. - Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV