Addressing the Armed Forces change of command ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, the President affirmed that she intends to forge a peace accord with the MILF during her administration.

"It would really be such a wasted moment if our Muslim brothers did not take advantage of our dedication to these efforts and conclude a peace deal in the next few years," the President said.

"There are political dynamics and we are working to sort them out, but I can think of nothing more desirable for the people of Mindanao and our nation than peace during our administration and hopefully, during the tour of duty of the son of Mindanao as chief of staff," she added.

Mrs. Arroyo installed Yano, of General Santos City, as the 38th chief of staff of the Armed Forces, replacing Gen. Hermogenes C. Esperon Jr. who retired after a three-month extension. Prior to becoming Armed Forces head, Yano was the chief of the Philippine Army (PA).

The President reiterated her administration’s commitment to the peace talks with the MILF, disputing accusations that the government was preparing to wage war against the MILF.

Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad yesterday said the country should not rely on other foreign countries in solving an internal problem such as peace in wartorn Mindanao.

"Why ask other nations to interfere in terms of giving peace tor Mindanao? Why is it that the government is banking on other people? Why does not the government do their part to bring peace to Mindanao?" Jumoad asked over Catholic Church-run Radio Veritas 846.

"I think it will be good if the government will handle the peace talks because this is an internal matter. Why hope for other countries to interfere and intervene in the peace talks," he said.

Last Saturday, the first group of Malaysian peacekeepers from the International Monitoring Team (IMT) left the country, while the peace negotiations between the MILF and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) remain stalled.

Despite the pullout of the Malaysian contingent, Jumoad believes there is still a chance to resolve the peace situation in Mindanao if both the MILF and the government sincerely want peace.

"Both parties should be sincere, the government and the peace negotiator in the MILF. If they are only after their own welfare and they will not compromise, there will never be peace, because peace is actually listening to the other side," said Jumoad.

The government yesterday welcomed the planned deployment of Libyan peacekeepers in Mindanao following the pullout of the Malaysian contingent.