National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. stressed the need to establish ground rules and not to depend on old agreements in order to push peace and progress in Southern Philippines.

Teodoro made the reaction as he assured US Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, that the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) is less of a problem now, while direct conflict with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is suspended at least temporarily.

The defense chief met with Inouye, who expressed concern on Mindanao and the peace process in the region, during his five-day official visit to Washington.

Aside from Inouye, Teodoro also held separate meetings with other key leaders of the US Congress, a day after receiving assurances from Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki of US commitment to speed up the processing of claims of Filipino WWII veterans under the US$198-million lump sum package provided for in the US Stimulus Package.

Accompanied by Philippine Ambassador to Washington Willy Gaa, Teodoro conferred with Inouye and Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA), chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, to thank them for their crucial role in the passage of the Filipino veterans provision contained in the Stimulus Package.

The defense secretary also met with US Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) to discuss Philippines-United States defense cooperation and the two countries’ strategic interests in the Asia Pacific Region.

During their meeting, Inouye told Teodoro that the US grant of benefits and recognition of Filipino war veterans have been long been overdue. A statement released by the office of the defense chief quoted Inouye as saying, “I have long felt that the US has shortchanged the Philippines….We’re going to make up for that.”

In response, Teodoro assured Inouye that the Senator has done more than enough in championing the cause of Filipino war veterans. “What should be done now is to work together to implement the law.”

During the meeting, Inouye aired his concern about the situation in Mindanao, to which Teodoro gave assurance that the Abu Sayyaf is less a problem now and that direct conflict with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is suspended, at least temporarily.

Teodoro also told Inouye that for the peace process to move forward, “there is a need to establish ground rules and not to depend on old agreements as templates.” Inouye expressed his intention to visit the Philippines in December this year.