December 3

By Jaime Laude With John Unson, Paolo Romero, Jose Rodel Clapano, Aurea Calica

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front is not impressed with the appointment of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis as government peace panel chairman.

At Malacañang, presidential adviser on the peace process Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said he is anticipating that peace talks with the MILF could resume before Christmas.

"We can look forward to the resumption of the GRP-MILF peace talks before Christmas which I believe is the best Christmas gift to the Filipino people, especially of Mindanao," he said in a statement.

"As I have said all along, we cannot afford to abandon peace because war is not the solution to the long-drawn Mindanao conflict.

  Wednesday, Dec 3

HONG KONG - The World Food Program (WFP) of the United Nations made a commitment to strengthen its food security project in areas in Mindanao that have been affected by the recent armed skirmishes between the military and Moro rebels.

Anthony Banburry, WFP regional director for Asia, relayed the commitment to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during a meeting Tuesday in the sidelines of the first Clinton Global Initiative Asia Meeting.

A press release from the Presidential Palace said Mrs Arroyo also pressed for the inclusion of the Philippines in the WFP supply chain that distributes fish, beans and other agricultural produce.

Wednesday, Dec 3

MANILA, Philippines - An alleged bomb expert of the regional terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah was arrested by combined police and military elements Tuesday afternoon in southern Philippines.

Muhammad Alpariz, a Bangladeshi, was arrested at about 3 p.m. at his rented shop in Tapayan village, Datu Mastura Mun in Shariff Kabunsuan, Maguindanao.

Alpariz is described by authorities as an expert in making improvised explosive devices. His arrest was based on an arrest warrant issued by Davao City regional trial court branch 13 judge Isaac Robillo.