Malacañang Satruday called on the rebels to give peace a chance as it prepares for the resumption of peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) next month.

In a radio interview, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said that instead of increasing speculations on MILF, the public should support peace efforts between the government and the MILF.

Critics have been saying that MILF’s mulled declaration of its suspension of military operations (SOMO) will just strengthen forces of the MILF.

But Remonde said that the MILF’s mulled declaration to suspend its military operations is “good news.”

“We appeal to all concerned that once again, let’s give peace a chance,” Remonde said. “It is an opportunity for both parties to work together to have peace in mind.”

Remonde said that President Arroyo was “very happy” to receive a report that there were dancing on the streets, especially among children, in evacuation areas where suspension of military operations had been declared.

The formal peace talks between the Government of the Philippines (GRP) and the MILF is mulled this August. Peace talks between the two parties had been pulled off last year after the Supreme Court (SC) did not allow the preliminary peace deal that would give MILF the control and autonomy over some areas in Central Mindanao.

President Arroyo however instructed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Thursday to suspend its military operations to give way to the peace talks.

The scheduled peace talks have been seen as a “positive development” by the international community, including the European Union (EU).