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MANILA,
Dec. 02 (PNA)--Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis has
accepted the post of Chief Negotiator for the Government of the
Republic of the Philippines (GRP) in peace talks with the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF).
Seguis,
a career diplomat who was called from retirement by President Gloria
Macapgal-Arroyo, vowed to do his “best to advance the cause of peace in
Mindanao.“
He
comes from Anao-aon, Surigao del Norte in Eastern Mindanao, and
replaces Assistant Secretary Rodolfo Garcia. Garcia's team was
dissolved in August just before the Memorandum of Agreement on the
Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD, which he steered through, was declared
unconstitutional by the Philippine Supreme Court.
p>Seguis said that in his concurrent positions at the DFA and the
GRP peace panel, he would be able to harness his diplomatic experience
as a negotiator.
The
added appointment by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signals GRP's
intent to resume scuttled peace talks with the MILF but Seguis pointed
out that "the timeline is not set yet, though it's not far behind."
“This
is a tremendous challenge and opportunity which I humbly accept knowing
fully well the difficult road that lies ahead. We will do our work
quietly, but diligently because in any negotiation it is just as
important to listen and understand the views of the other side,” the
newly-appointed Chief Negotiator said.
Seguis
told the Philippines News Agency that President Macapagal-Arroyo has
begun the first steps for resumption of talks by considering the
composition of the panel of negotiators, which he will head. The names
of his four-co members are not yet known. Seguis said.
Asked
if his being a working diplomat does not go against the grain of the
negotiations, Seguis said, “we’re all working for peace, that’s most
important.”
But he added he will still seek some comments from Malacanang regarding his appointment.
Seguis retired in 2004 but was immediately reappointed DFA Undersecretary for Special Concerns.
Known
for his coolness in crisis situations, he led the crisis team to Iraq
on two separate occasions to negotiate for the eventual safe release of
Filipino workers Angelo dela Cruz of Pampanga and Davao native Roberto
Tarongoy.
The captives face near-certain death in the hands of an Al-Qaeda-linked
group as well as put the very life of Seguis on line as well.
On
July 19, 2005, Seguis received a Presidential Citation “for his
steadfast and able leadership of Team Iraq” which resulted in the
successful release of the Filipino hostages.
He
also received the Order of Sikatuna with the Rank of Datu (Gold
Distinction) on October 26, 2006 which is the highest presidential
award bestowed to government officials and employees.
Inside
the DFA, the soft-spoken Seguis is often tapped to represent the
country in vital diplomatic missions and conferences in the Middle
East-including being a regular member of the guest Philippine
delegation to the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM) of the
Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and Islamic Summits from 1996
to 2008.
He
also represented the Philippines in various United Nations (UN) and
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) high-level meetings. He is the recipient of
many awards and citations from DFA, including the “Distinguished
Service Award” conferred by then DFA Secretary Domingo L. Siazon Jr.
The
low-key Seguis also served as Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia and
East Timor ( 2002 – 2003); Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Yemen
(1999-2002); Iraq and Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (1992 to 1996);
Deputy Chief of Mission in Tripoli (1988-1991) and in various
capacities in the Philippine Embassies in Rome, Bangkok, Cairo, Tehran
and the United States.
At
the DFA, he served as Assistant Minister for Fiscal Management
(1986-1987) and Assistant Secretary for Middle East and Africa
(1996-1999).
Seguis is also concurrently Chairman of the Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat of the DFA.
He passed the Foreign Service Officers (FSO) Examinations in December 1973.
He
is a graduate of the University of the East and attended post-graduate
studies at the American University in Cairo and the Ateneo de Manila
Graduate School of Business. (PNA)
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