MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government and the country's largest Muslim rebel group have resumed formal peace talks for the first time since President Benigno S. Aquino III took office last year.

Government negotiator Marvic Leonen says the two sides are meeting in Malaysia, which has brokered the negotiations since 1997. The talks are scheduled to run for two days through Thursday.

The peace process seeks to end a decades-long rebellion by the 11,000-strong Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Talks collapsed in 2008 when the Philippine Supreme Court rejected a preliminary accord with the government of then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo that would have expanded an existing Muslim autonomous region in the southern Philippines.

After Aquino took office in June, the two sides formed new peace panels and worked to resume talks.

As the talks resume, President Aquino assured that there will be no midnight deal.

The President, during the Light of Peace event at the Quezon City Memorial Circle Tuesday night, said every Juan de la Cruz will be informed and consulted on the government’s peace negotiations with the MILF and the National Democratic Front (NDF).

Formal peace talks between the government and the MILF have resumed last Tuesday in Malaysia while negotiations with the communist rebels will start next week.

Aquino has expressed optimism that the peace negotiations would be successful given the sincerity of both parties as he called on the public to participate in the peace process.

“We will ensure Juan de la Cruz will know the status of the peace talks and we will empower the people to participate here,” the President said in Filipino at the candle-lighting event for peace. "Every Filipino is affected by the peace talks. From the start, I have encouraged everyone to unite and share a solution rather than contribute to the problem," he added.

He said the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process has set up an official website, Facebook and Twitter accounts to give the public regular updates about the peace negotiations with the rebel groups. Concerned citizens can also leavae their comments and suggestions about the government’s peace initiatives.

The public can also participate in volunteer groups, concerts, fun runs, and medical missions that are designed to promote the peace process, the President said.

He said the country has been mired in violent encounters for many years, which have raised sorrow, fear, division, and ill will toward Filipinos. “We know that we cannot go on as one country until we achieve peace,” he said.

He acknowledged that the country’s peace problems are rooted in corruption, injustice, human rights violations, among others.

Apart from seeking to end the insurgency in the country, the President affirmed his resolve to carry on the fight against corruption, poverty, crime, and abuse of power.

"Instead of pursuing the armed rebels, we will focus on the needs of the people and the impact of this strife in their lives. Instead of aggravating the problem, we will study it and look for a peaceful solution,” he said. (AP and Genalyn D. Kabiling)