Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu lauded last Monday the truce declarations by the government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), hoping both parties resume the stalled peace talks on the botched Moro homeland deal.

Ihsanuglo cited the OIC's readiness and willingness to exert all-out efforts to assist the two parties in moving towards achieving peace and, at the same time, asked GRP and MILF to exert every means to achieve security, peace, and development in troubled Mindanao.

Ihsanuglo issued the statement on the OIC’s website as he noted GRP’s suspension of military offensives (SOMO) and the MILF’s suspension of military actions (SOMA) could be pave the way for a renewed negotiation.

The top OIC official is hopeful that negotiations between the two parties would resume from the point where earlier peace efforts culminated in a bid to preserve and build upon what has been achieved.

As this developed, Muslim leaders led by House Deputy Speaker Simeon A. Datumanong lauded the President Arroyo’s 9th State-of- the-Nation Address(SONA) last Monday, saying it augurs well for the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Mindanao.

Datumanong said the President clearly stated her desire to re-start peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front (NDF) and the MILF.

"The President's SONA mentioning the peace process augurs well for achieving peace in Mindanao and the whole country," said the Maguindanao congressman.

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan said he was really glad with the President's SONA, especially her raising the need to achieve peace in Mindanao without violence.

ARMM Executive Secretary Oscar Sampulna relayed the regional governor's reaction to the Manila Bulletin.

"The regional governor has always been a staunch ally of the President and supports all her initiatives for peace. ARMM is a major stakeholder for peace, thus, the autonomous government wants to achieve peace just like multitudes of Mindanaoans," said Sampulna.

In about the 40th minute of her SONA, the President mentioned the negotiations with the NDF and the MILF, saying the country's conflicts cannot be resolved through violence.

"There is nothing more than I would wish for than peace in Mindanao," said Arroyo, adding this would be a blessing for Christians, Muslims, and Lumads.

The MILF also listened to the SONA that started at about 4:04 p.m. and ended at 5 p.m. On its website, MILF stated: “The SONA could usher in a renewed hope for peace.”

In an interview, Eid Kabalu, MILF chief of civil-military affairs and spokesman, welcomed the President's demonstration of her "sincere desire" to achieve peace with the MILF.