FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF '96 ACCORD URGED: JOLO, Sulu-An alliance of 10
groups in Sulu has asked the Organization of Islamic Conference to
intercede in behalf of the Moro people for the full implementation of the
1996 peace agreement that was forged between the government and the Moro
National Liberation Front.
In two resolutions submitted to the OIC fact-finding committee in Jolo
Friday, the alliance also called for the establishment of a provisional
government "for a duration of 10 years in the Bangsamoro homeland," and for
the OIC "to give immediate and continuing attention to the welfare of those
affected by the all-out war policy of the Philippine government."
The group also asked that the Bangsamoro people be granted "the same
status, favor and treatment as that granted to the people of Palestine."
MNLF vice chair Hatim il Hassan, who accompanied the OIC team representing
chair and ARMM Gov. Nur Misuari, said the 56-member nation OIC was here to
find out what has happened to the 1996 agreement.
He said phase one of the agreement provided for a transition period, and
phase two, for the establishment of "genuine autonomy," but "after four
years that autonomy has not been established."
In his response to the participants of the multisectoral forum held at the
Sulu State College gym, Indonesian Ambassador Amer Abu Hartono, leader of
the fact-finding mission, said the OIC "could do no more than act as
facilitators of the peace agreement."
Isa Abdurahman, security chief of the MNLF regional command under Misuari,
assailed the government for failing to fulfill its promise of livelihood
projects.
Although he said its role was limited to facilitation, Ambassador Hartono
assured the audience that the OIC would urge the government not only to
implement the livelihood program, but also ''to try very hard to convince
international finance institutions'' to assist in funding such programs.
There were also calls for independence and the grant of full membership in
the OIC to the MNLF.
Abdulpatta Hadjibon, chair of the state congress of North Palawan state
revolutionary committee of the MNLF, said they "should be enlightened as to
why the MNLF has remained in observer status despite violations committed
by the Philippine government against the Bangsamoro people."
Tuan Hadji Jamuddin Jamaruddin, secretary of the state committee of the
MNLF in Sulu, likened the peace agreement to a leaking vinta.
Prof. Raiza Akalal asked that the MNLF be given full recognition as a
member of the OIC.
"This is because in the recent conflict in Sulu, the casualties were the
civilians, not the Abu Sayyaf. We were treated like foreigners, not
Filipinos, by the national government, so we want full membership in the
OIC so that the national government will respect us," she said.
"Let me inform you,"Hartono said, "the membership of the OIC consists only
of states. And no member-state has received so many privileges from the OIC
except the MNLF even if it has the status only of observer. Please
understand that.
"What is more important, that you gain full member status but the OIC will
forget you, or remain as an observer, but the OIC still sends a fact-
finding team like this one to come here? Status is not very important, as
far as the summit of foreign ministers deciding what steps to take to solve
the problem,"Hartono said.
He said the summit had explained this "kind of procedure" several times to
Misuari.
He said that although the MNLF was the recognized representative of the
Bangsamoro people to the exclusion of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front,
the MNLF was supposed to represent all Muslims in the Philippines.
Hartono also emphasized that the OIC could not address any call for
independence. Inquirer, 10/23/2000
OIC SEEKS SOLUTION TO MINDANAO STRIFE: GENERAL SANTOS CITY - Leaders of a
fact-finding mission from the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC)
called yesterday for "a genuine and lasting political solution" to the
Mindanao problem.
In North Cotabato, at least four rebels were killed and three civilians
wounded in heavy fighting between government troops and Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF) guerrillas who attacked the Tulunan municipal hall.
Two bomb explosions rocked Midsayap town and Kidapawan City yesterday as
members of the OIC mission were touring North Cotabato to evaluate the
implementation of the 1996 government-Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)
peace treaty.
Indonesian Ambassador Wirjono Sastrohandojo told reporters yesterday any
economic development initiative in Mindanao would not prosper without peace.
Sastrohandojo, who heads the mission's Group II, said he welcomes proposals
that the OIC mediate a peace agreement between the government and the MILF.
He said the OIC supports any initiative that would pave the way for the
immediate resolution of the decades-old Moro rebellion.
On the other hand, Uttoh Salem Cutan, executive director of the Southern
Philippines Council for Peace and Development (SPCPD), told reporters
yesterday the government was controlling the mission's itinerary.
Cutan said the OIC team was supposed to take part in a dialogue with
leaders of the Muslim community at the Mindanao State University last
Tuesday.
Cutan said authorities from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the
Peace Process were wary of the protest actions launched by Muslim militants.
Nabil Tan, assistant secretary for the peace process, told reporters
yesterday the government has substantially complied with the implementation
of the peace agreement with the MNLF.
However, former Indonesian ambassador Abu Hartono, who chairs the other OIC
group, told reporters the Senate's failure to act on the Autonomy Bill has
delayed implementation of the peace agreement's political aspect.
Phil. Star, 10/19/2000
OIC MISSION SATISFIED WITH PEACE PACT PROGRESS: A mission from the
Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) is satisfied with the progress of
a peace accord it brokered between the government and the Moro National
Liberation Front (MNLF) in 1996, Malacanang said yesterday.
President Estrada briefed the 22-member OIC team led by Indonesian Foreign
Minister Alwi Shibab last Monday on the accord's implementation.
"We had a very good conversation. I think as much as we are happy, the
President is happy too because we reported to him that we had been
encouraged by the briefing given by the authorities of the government as
well as the MNLF," Shibab said.
The OIC mission will visit Mindanao to check on the implementation of the
peace deal.
Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora said the mission was informed that
Malacanang was pursuing efforts to woo the MNLF-splinter group, the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) back to the negotiating table.
Peace talks with the MILF collapsed early this year when troops captured
the MILF's camps in Mindanao, including its headquarters.
Malacanang earlier said it may consider asking the OIC to help broker a
peace settlement with the MILF, which has been waging a
22-year separatist war.
The mission will also visit Sulu, where Abu Sayyaf bandits are still
holding hostage an American, three Malaysians and a Filipino.
Meanwhile, communist rebel leader Jose Maria Sison said yesterday in a
statement that communist and Muslim rebels will intensify attacks against
the government to help bring down President Estrada.
Sison encouraged those angered by the latest corruption allegations against
Mr. Estrada to stage massive protests. Relying on the country's legal
processes would not do it alone, Sison said. "It is wrong to narrow down
what is legal, democratic or constitutional to impeachment, which Estrada
can easily foil with his current majority in the lower House and with
prospective cheating in the 2001 elections," he said.
Sison claimed that Malacanang plans to impose a state of emergency or
martial law to quell mounting anti-Estrada protests stirred by allegations
that Mr. Estrada received over P400 million in payoffs from jueteng
operators.
Rumors were rife last week that the President plans to declare a state of
emergency, prompting strong denials from Malacanang.
Phil. Star, 10/18/2000
MINDANAO WORKERS GET P15 WAGE HIKE: Workers in war-torn Central Mindanao
will receive a P15 raise in their P135 daily minimum wage and a P10
provisional emergency relief allowance (PERA) starting Oct. 16.
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma told reporters yesterday the Central
Mindanao regional wage board unanimously approved the increase of workers'
daily pay to P150 last Friday.
However, Laguesma said the wage board will review after six months whether
or not to continue giving PERA to the workers, but assured that the
decision will not affect wage-related benefits.
Earlier, regional wage boards had granted an adjustment of P26.50 in Metro
Manila and P17 in Southern Tagalog to increase the daily minimum wages of
workers in the two regions.
Laguesma said he is confident the other regional wage boards can meet the
Oct. 13 deadline set by President Estrada for the issuance of new wage
orders.
But militant groups are not happy over what they described as "measly"
salary increases granted to workers by the different regional wage boards.
Phil. Star, 10/11/2000
UN-SUPERVISED VOTE ON MINDANAO PUSHED: COTABATO CITY--Federalism or a United
Nations-supervised referendum on Mindanao independence?
As politicians and regional leaders float the idea of adopting a federal
system of government, twin moves to promote federalism as a "lasting
solution to separatism"and revive the decolonization issue are quietly
under way in Mindanao.
A petition paper, titled "Declaration of Intent and Manifestation of Direct
Political Act" (DIMPDA), has been circulating among Mindanao Muslims for
their signature. It is addressed to the President of the United States, the
US Congress and the Organization of the Islamic Conference.
The paper seeks to reassert Mindanao's independence from the Philippines
through a UN-supervised referendum as the "ultimate, just, peaceful and
permanent solution to the Bangsamoro problem."
Advocates for a federal state in Mindanao have vowed to make federalism a
major issue in the May congressional and local elections.
Lihuk Pederal, a coalition of groups and individuals advocating a federal
system of government in the country, said they would support candidates who
are for federalism.
"We will closely monitor the position of each candidate with regard to
federalism," Rey Magno Teves, Lihuk Pederal convenor, said.
Teves said electing more politicians who are supportive of a federal system
of government would strengthen the chances of transforming the country into
a federal republic.
The Federal Movement of the Philippines (FMP) is being launched in Cebu
next month to discuss a "tentative proposal" to create a federal state of
Bangsamoro and nine other federal states in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
The petition paper to the United States and the 56-nation OIC, is just one
of many in nearly a hundred years of Mindanao independent movements. The
DIMPDA has emerged 76 years after Muslim leaders sent a similar petition to
the then colonial ruler, the United States--the 1924 Zamboanga Declaration
of Rights and Purposes (ZDRP).
Moro leaders had petitioned the US Congress that "50 years after
independence," a plebiscite must be held in Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan
to "decide by vote whether the proposed territory will be incorporated in
the government of the island of Luzon and Visayas, remain a territory, or
become independent."
According to Muslim historian Michael Mastura, the "50 years from the
(grant of) independence in 1946" would have been the year 1996.
The DIMDPA cites as bases for a UN-supervised referendum for Moro
independence such documents as the ZDRP, the Dansalan Declaration of 1935,
the Cotabato Memorial of Datus and Persons (1916), the Petition of the
People of Sulu Archipelago (1921), and the Bangsamoro observer status in
the OIC.
It said the Manifesto of Muslim Independence of May 1, 1968 "has elevated
the Muslim question to the attention of the United Nations as a step toward
decolonization process."
It also sought to have the referendum call conveyed to the OIC inasmuch as
the Bangsamoro people had been accorded observer status in the Muslim-led
organization which had agreed to include in its agenda the "question of
the Muslims in the Southern Philippines in 1973."
The people behind the petition did not want their names published and would
not disclose how many have already signed. But Mastura said the DIMDPA was
a product of "collective efforts" by several sectors of the Muslim
community, mainly the Kadatuan (Royal) Council of traditional leaders and
academics.
There have also been independent moves seeking to decolonize Sulu and
Maguindanao. The chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Salamat
Hashim, has also called for a UN-supervised referendum among Mindanao
Muslims. Inquirer, 10/09/2000
MURAD `VERY MUCH ALIVE'- CAMP ABUBAKAR, Maguindanao--The Moro rebel leader
that the military earlier reported as having died from battle wounds
emerged for the first time since March and proclaimed himself "very much
alive" at a riverside press conference somewhere in Camp Abubakar on
Thursday.
A smiling Al Haj Murad, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's vice chair for
military affairs, met with reporters, who had hiked through muddy
cornfields and hills, in a tent set up under the trees.
He was wearing a neatly pressed, new camouflage uniform and well-shined
leather boots. He was unarmed. But around him, at least 150 armed rebels,
some of whom had been deployed behind the thicket, watched.
Murad opened the press briefing with the declaration that the MILF still
believed that the solution to the conflict in Mindanao was a "negotiated
political settlement" and that the rebels were open to autonomy.
The MILF disbanded its peace negotiating panel on Aug. 19. But Murad said
that in its 16th General Assembly held from Sept. 21 to 24, the MILF
leadership had clarified that the MILF would be willing to resume the
suspended peace talks if the government showed sincerity in solving the
conflict in Mindanao.
He said the talks should be held in any member country of the Organization
of the Islamic Conference because "with the presence of the all-out war of
government and the all-out jihad of the MILF, we feel it is no longer
conducive (to hold the peace talks here)."
He said this demand for a venue abroad was "very reasonable" because the
government has talked with the Moro National Liberation Front and the
National Democratic Front outside the country.
The government yesterday indicated that it was softening in its opposition
to this demand. Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado said the issue of holding
talks in a neutral territory "can be considered."
Murad said they can set up a peace panel "even tomorrow" but would do so
only if the government manifests its sincerity in talking peace.
Murad disputed the reports of MILF members surrendering, saying that no
"bonafide members of the MILF surrendered to government. Not even one has
surrendered."
He said Mr. Estrada's offer of amnesty to MILF is a "call for surrender"
and was not acceptable to the rebel group. Asked whether the press
conference was called because of the impending visit of an OIC Fact-Finding
Mission, Murad said, "we can always reach the OIC even without a press
conference."
He said they never petitioned for observer status in the OIC. MILF chair
Hashim Salamat had said in April that they were working on it.
Inquirer, 10/07/2000
609 MILF REBS YIELD TO ESTRADA: CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - More than 600 Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels, one of them a commander,
surrendered yesterday to President Estrada, who urged the remaining
guerrillas to resume peace talks with the government.
Malupandi Cosain, alias Commander Tupay, led the separatist guerrillas, a
town vice mayor from Lanao del Sur who had joined the MILF insurgency.
The Chief Executive stood on a grandstand at Camp Evangelista here as he
led the 609 former rebels, most still wearing camouflage uniforms with MILF
insignias, in pledging allegiance to the government.
Mr. Estrada said poverty is the common enemy of both the government and the
rebels. The President said the group was the largest group to surrender
since the military launched a major assault against the MILF early this
year that culminated in the capture of 39 rebel camps and 14 major
strongholds.
The President, in accepting the surrender of the former rebels, reiterated
his offer of amnesty to other guerrillas who are still fighting government
troops.
But the Chief Executive said the government peace panel have not yet
received any formal response from the MILF leadership, specifically its
chairman, Salamat Hashim.
Mr. Estrada, along with National Program for Unification and Development
Council Chairman Alberto Bernardo, presented to each surrendering rebel a
P2,500 check as emergency cash assistance and another check for P12,000 as
livelihood loan assistance, and gave them money in exchange for their
firearms.
After the ceremonies, they would be transported to their hometowns where
they will be provided a rehabilitation and development package to help them
resume normal lives, he added. Phil. Star, 10/06/2000
MILF: APOLOGY, NOT AMNESTY: A simple apology - not amnesty - from the
government to Mindanao's Muslims would help remove the long-standing
animosity between Muslims and Christians in the South, a Muslim scholar
said yesterday.
Moner Bajunaid said President Estrada's amnesty offer to the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) ignored what Bajunaid called the historical
context of the Muslim insurgency.
Bajunaid heads the MILF's technical committee in charge of threshing
out details of the long-stalled peace talks with the government.
MILF rebels have difficulty believing Mr. Estrada's sincerity in
pursuing peace because of the criminal charges filed against top MILF
leaders, including rebel chieftain Hashim Salamat, Bajunaid said.
Malacanang has yet to articulate "a clear-cut policy for peace in
Mindanao," he said.
The government should realize, Bajunaid said, that the Mindanao conflict
is a Muslim struggle for identity, not just self-determination.
He said the people of Mindanao - Christians and Muslims alike -
should be given the chance to decide for themselves what form of government
they want in Mindanao.
He echoed Salamat's earlier proposal for a United Nations-sponsored
referendum in Mindanao to decide the future of the people there.
Mr. Estrada offered amnesty to the rebels and ordered an unconditional
resumption of the talks to jumpstart the stalled peace negotiations.
Calling it propaganda, the MILF rejected the amnesty offer and vowed to
step up attacks against the government. They said they would resume peace
talks if the arrest warrants and bounty on Salamat and other leaders were
lifted, and the talks held in another country.
Malacanang earlier rejected the demand to hold the talks abroad, saying
the insurgency is a domestic issue. Trying to woo the MILF to resume
talks, the government yesterday challenged the rebels to either resume
talks unconditionally or categorically state that they are not interested
in peace.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Domingo Siazon yesterday discouraged the MILF
from holding the talks with help from a third party to avoid complicating
matters. The MILF earlier tried to get OIC support for its secessionist
struggle but was effectively rejected. "If two people dancing can already
step on each other's feet, what more if they become three? It will
be worse," Siazon said. Phil. Star, 10/03/2000
MILF OFFERED AMNESTY: Pres. Estrada has ordered the unconditional
resumption of peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF) as he offered amnesty to the secessionist rebels for "crimes
committed in pursuit of their political beliefs."
In issuing Proclamation No. 390 yesterday, the President said the amnesty
for MILF rebels would "facilitate their return to a peaceful, democratic
and pluralistic society so essential to the attainment of peace and
prosperity."
National Security Adviser Alexander Aguirre said yesterday the Chief
Executive's decision has been relayed to Alim Mimbantas, former
chairman of the MILF’s disbanded peace panel.
MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu dismissed the amnesty offer as propaganda which
previous administrations had also used unsuccessfully to end the Muslim
insurgency.
Speaking in Cotabato City, Kabalu also said the MILF central committee has
decided that the rebels will not join any new peace talks unless the
government agrees to hold negotiations in a foreign country.
Kabalu said the MILF is still awaiting a formal notice from retired
Gen. Edgardo Batenga, head of the government peace panel, that the
President had decided to resume peace talks.
In issuing the proclamation, the Chief Executive said the amnesty will not
cover such crimes as kidnap-for ransom, massacre or torture of non-
combatants, rape, and other offenses for personal ends. MILF guerillas
granted amnesty may still face civil suits from victims seeking compensation.
Mr. Estrada has ordered the National Amnesty Commission to start receiving
and processing amnesty applications from MILF members and supporters.
Under the law, an amnesty will take effect upon concurrence by a majority
vote of Congress. Aguirre said the MILF should abandon its hardline stance
and take advantage of the government's offer to resume peace talks
rather than continue fighting a guerrilla war.
Mr. Estrada decided to resume peace negotiations with the MILF as the
government prepares for the visit of a fact-finding team from the
Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).
The OIC team will look into the government's compliance with its
peace agreement with the MILF, which was signed in 1996 in Jakarta,
Indonesia under the OIC's auspices. Phil. Star, 09/30/2000
