Dureza to ambassadors of Japan & Canada: "We are more concerned than you are""We welcome statements like that but other countries should know that we are more concerned than they are." This was what Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza said Thursday in reaction to statements of Japanese and Canadian ambassadors to the Philippines
Ambassador Ryuichiro Yamazaki and Ambassador Peter Sutherland urged the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to exercise restraint to save the Malaysian-brokered talks and peacefully resolve a conflict over the recent rebel killing of 14 marines in Basilan.
A copy of letter sent by Yamazaki to Malacanang was seen by the Associated Press (AP) late Wednesday, while the letter of Sutherland was quoted directly.
The two envoys also expressed alarmed over a possible outbreak of fighting between government troops and MILF fighters, warning they may pull out their aid workers if the situation worsens.
Yamazaki wrote they are gravely concerned that offensive military operations could derail the ongoing peace talks and that in case the situation worsens, Japan will have to consider temporarily pulling out its aid-related personnel from Mindanao for security reasons.
"We welcome those (statements), but they don't have to tell us that because we are more concern than they are, I'm sure that we have to uphold the primacy of the peace process. They can not be more than concern than we are," Dureza said in a press conference at Garden Orchid hotel.
Dureza met here Thursday local government officials from Basilan led by Governor Jum Akbar and some leaders of Non Governmental Organization (NGO) for consultations about possible military offensives in Basilan.
He added that other countries should trust President Arryo, who has consistently showed political will despite the great odds in the past to uphold the primacy of the peace process, will take the most appropriate steps to address the situation.
"So let no one doubt that she knows exactly how to deal with in the most appropriate manner. Let me welcome these comments from the donor communities. Coaching from the sidelines is something that is easy and convenient to do but that is totally different from being a player in the field."
About 5,000 government troops have been sent to Basilan to hunt down those responsible in the brutal killings of 14 members of the Philippine Marines, although the military has denied it's preparing for a full-scale war.
The MILF has denied its rebels were behind the decapitations, which were strongly condemned by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and the 120,000-strong military. It has said its fighters would defend themselves if attacked in their territory.
Ambassador Ryuichiro Yamazaki and Ambassador Peter Sutherland urged the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to exercise restraint to save the Malaysian-brokered talks and peacefully resolve a conflict over the recent rebel killing of 14 marines in Basilan.
A copy of letter sent by Yamazaki to Malacanang was seen by the Associated Press (AP) late Wednesday, while the letter of Sutherland was quoted directly.
The two envoys also expressed alarmed over a possible outbreak of fighting between government troops and MILF fighters, warning they may pull out their aid workers if the situation worsens.
Yamazaki wrote they are gravely concerned that offensive military operations could derail the ongoing peace talks and that in case the situation worsens, Japan will have to consider temporarily pulling out its aid-related personnel from Mindanao for security reasons.
"We welcome those (statements), but they don't have to tell us that because we are more concern than they are, I'm sure that we have to uphold the primacy of the peace process. They can not be more than concern than we are," Dureza said in a press conference at Garden Orchid hotel.
Dureza met here Thursday local government officials from Basilan led by Governor Jum Akbar and some leaders of Non Governmental Organization (NGO) for consultations about possible military offensives in Basilan.
He added that other countries should trust President Arryo, who has consistently showed political will despite the great odds in the past to uphold the primacy of the peace process, will take the most appropriate steps to address the situation.
"So let no one doubt that she knows exactly how to deal with in the most appropriate manner. Let me welcome these comments from the donor communities. Coaching from the sidelines is something that is easy and convenient to do but that is totally different from being a player in the field."
About 5,000 government troops have been sent to Basilan to hunt down those responsible in the brutal killings of 14 members of the Philippine Marines, although the military has denied it's preparing for a full-scale war.
The MILF has denied its rebels were behind the decapitations, which were strongly condemned by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and the 120,000-strong military. It has said its fighters would defend themselves if attacked in their territory.
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