Grace Poe backs negotiations with MNLF

MANILA - Senator Grace Poe Llamanzares on Tuesday said diplomacy and negotiation are the best and safest means to solving the Zamboanga hostage crisis. In an interview on ANC's Headstart, Poe said government should always ensure the safety of civilian lives. Poe was responding to a suggestion from a social media follower to serve as a negotiator with Misuari's group since Mindanaoans have high regard for her late father, actor Fernando Poe Jr. The senator said the government should step up economic support including livelihood programs in Mindanao. "(Would you negotiate with the MNLF?) Yes but with a strong arm in negotiation. We should mean business. There are certain rules that are non negotiable. Our main concern are the lives of the innocent, of our innocent brothers there, so inasmuch as we want to be able to implement the law immediately, diplomacy and negotiation are still key in being able to save as many lives we can," she said. ANC HEADSTART, September 10, 2013