The government is amenable to the proposed involvement of the United States in reaching a final peace settlement with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to end the decades-conflict in Mindanao.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman for Economic Affairs Gary Olivar said Washington has various roles in its diplomatic and security relations with the Philippines beyond the usual deployment of its troops for counterterrorism exercises.

“It’s interesting to mention or to note that the US has in fact been asked to get involved in this peace process by the MILF. It provides a useful counterpoint, I guess, to the  ordinary impression that they just send troops here,” Olivar told reporters in the Palace.

“The US does play a fairly diversified role in diplomatic and security affairs in the Philippines,” he added.

Leaders of the MILF have reportedly asked Washington to help facilitate the peace negotiations following a meeting with US diplomats in Maguindanao last weekend.

MILF chief Murad Ebrahim thanked the US government for its support in the peace process in Mindanao, citing it can “greatly help toward the peaceful resolution of the conflict.”

In line with its support of the peace process, Washington has extended millions of development aid to help the poor communities in Mindanao.

Malacañang earlier said it was also open to a possible US assistance in the rescue operations of Fr. Michael Sinnott. Olivar, however, made clear that Filipino troops will lead efforts against the kidnappers of Sinnott who are reportedly hiding somewhere in Lanao.

Olivar said they welcome any kind of foreign assistance since “it is especially useful in unusually risky situations such as those that involve the kidnapping of foreign nationals from our shore.”

“Clearly these offers of help would take many forms – from intelligence to materials to equipments – not just the sending of actual troops to our country,” he added.

In case the US sends troops in the country for the Sinnott rescue mission, Olivar said such movement will be guided by the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement.

“When we talked though about sending troops from any country to another country, especially in a situation where there is not a state-of-war existing, that kind of move must always be taken with a lot of care and consideration – both on the part of the assisting country as well as in the part of the assisted country – where there are all clear and obvious diplomatic as well as military ramifications in such a move,” he said.

“Luckily, in our case, we have the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) which provides a useful framework for considering contingencies like these,” he added.

On unconfirmed reports that the MILF has taken hold of Sinnott, Olivar said it may be just a matter of time before a resolution to the crisis is seen.