Drilon rejects call for resignation of gov't peace panel members
Drilon: Allow Deles, Ferrer to defend peace process

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon said the unfair accusations and calls for resignation against members of the government peace panel will achieve nothing and will only derail the peace process.

"I appeal for a deeper public support and understanding of the role of the government peace panel in the realization of our goal of providing lasting and genuine peace in Mindanao, which for four decades suffered from all forms of insurgency and criminality," said Drilon.

"While I fully understand and recognize the public's high emotions following the Mamasapano tragedy, Secretary Teresita Deles and Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer do not deserve to be maligned in such an unwarranted manner," Drilon said.

He stressed that Deles, Ferrer and the rest of the government peace panel are tasked with securing peace in Mindanao, and their actions before and after the Mamasapano incident are based on their mandates.

"Let us not be too hard on those working for the preservation of the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Contrary to accusation, our peace panel is actually protecting the government and the Filipino people's interest by protecting and continuing the peace process amid the tensions resulting from the Mamasapano clash,' said Drilon.

"It is highly unfair and improper for people to label as traitors those striving to ensure peace in our nation, for all Filipinos," he added.