Philippine peace talks in jeopardy after latest Moro rebel attacks.

Text of report in English by Philippine newspaper The Philippine Star website on 27 December

["Peace talks in jeopardy after Yule attacks"]

The government's efforts to revive peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are in jeopardy following the latest attacks by the separatist group in Central Mindanao on Christmas eve that killed nine people and left several others wounded, a Malacanang official warned yesterday.

Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process Hermogenes Esperon Jr said the government is undertaking two parallel investigations, one by police authorities and another by his office, "on the implications and effects on the peace process" of the incidents in three towns in the provinces of Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.

As of press time, President Arroyo was meeting with members of her Cabinet security cluster at the Mansion House …