Legarda said a ceasefire with deadline and one which will be honored by both sides for a period of at least one month has now become a requisite before any peace initiative can be pursued.

"The innocent civilians must be protected from the attacks, but it is wise more than necessary to exhaust all possible means for peace initiatives and this should be done with utmost concern now more than ever if both sides agree on a ceasefire," Legarda said.

"The MILF and the government should not allow themselves to be viewed as hardliners that whoever blinks first would be the loser," said Legarda.

The government dissolved Wednesday the peace panel that crafted the botched memorandum of agreement (MoA) in what was labeled as its latest peace strategy. The move was met with criticisms.

"The government should have considered the implication of its move to totally dissolve the peace panel to the lives of people in Mindanao and the whole country," Legarda lamented.

Legarda cited the Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy’s dismay over the government seems lack of interest to pursue peace which was viewed by many as meant more to avoid its big MoA blunder from stinking further.

Legarda said Swara Bangsamoro National president Amira Alydidasan described the fate of Mindanao into something like "the government pouring gas on its head."

"This is the result of the government’s failure to enter into an agreement without the proper consultation. Now, what will be done in many properties damaged during the fight? Who will pay for them?" Legarda said.

Legarda, who is an honorary princess of the Muslims, appealed to the MILF forces that they should not use as an excuse to launch attacks the government’s decision to dissolve the peace panel.

"It would now be an entirely different issue once the MILF continues to launch attacks directed against hapless innocent civilians to show their disgust," she said.

One possible option to effect a ceasefire is to seek the intercession of our Muslim brothers and Christian leaders, as well as the Malaysian government.

"If after the month-long period comes the clear intentions of both sides, then perhaps they may now decide if war or peace is what they like," she said.