BY REGINA BENGCO

MALACAÑANG is reconstituting the government panel in the suspended peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The new panel chairman is Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said yesterday.

Ermita said the "complete reconstitution" of the government panel is expected by next week.

As soon as the panel is completed, he said, "we would have a pretty good idea of how soon we will resume the talks with the MILF."

President Arroyo dissolved the panel, which had five members, in September after announcing a shift in policy in dealing with armed rebel groups — from holding peace talks to consultations with stakeholders in the context of DDR (disarmament, demobilization and reintegration). Malacañang had said results of the consultations would determine whether the peace negotiations would resume.

The dissolution also followed controversy surrounding the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain that the government had been set to sign with the MILF in early August. The agreement was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in October.

The suspension of the peace talks followed attacks by three rogue MILF commanders on civilian communities in several parts of Central Mindanao. The MILF leadership continues to refuse to surrender the three commanders.

Ermita said the government would be ready to talk with the MILF panel this month.

Ermita also said the MILF is "glad and satisfied" with Seguis leading the panel which was formerly chaired by retired general Rodolfo Garcia.

He said Seguis understands the problem because he has had a long stint in the Middle East starting during the Marcos administration, having been ambassador to Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia, which are all members of the Organization of Islamic Conference. He said Seguis was also involved in the peace process with the Moro National Liberation Front.

Ermita said government is not dropping its demand that MILF surrender rogue commanders Abdullah Macapaar, Aleem Sulaiman Pangalian, and Ameril Umbra Kato.

Ermita said there will be a panel of advisers which will be composed of local and national political leaders, congressmen, local government officials, members of the academe, the religious and business sectors, the Muslim community, young Muslim professionals, and groups advocating peace in Mindanao.

He said the ancestral domain issue will continue to be a subject matter during the resumption of the peace talks, and the panels will be guided by the Supreme Court decision on the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain.