BI awaiting military's decision on 2 'terrorists'

Immigration Commissioner Rufus Rodriguez said his bureau is awaiting the military's decision on whether to file criminal charges against two arrested "foreign terrorists," and that both will be deported if no charges are filed.

Rodriguez confirmed reports that Abdesselem Boulanovar, an Algerian who also holds a French passport, and Pandu Yudha-winata, an Indonesian passport holder but believed to be from the Middle East, are now in the custody of the Armed Forces "in connection with their involvement in the secession in Mindanao."

Rodriguez did not say when or where the two were arrested.

The two aliens were suspected of aiding the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in its alleged destabilization activities in Mindanao.

Immigration records show that Boulanovar arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport last Oct. 15 and was admitted on a 21-day, no-visa privilege.

Yudhawinata, on the other hand, arrived on Aug. 17 last year, left the next day and returned to Manila on Sept. 28.

According to Rodriguez, French and Indonesian nationals who come here as tourists are exempted under Philippine immigration rules from visa requirements and can apply for extension of their stay 21 days after their arrival.

If the military decides not to file charges against the two foreigners, Rodriguez said they will be deported and blacklisted.

Reports said the aliens yielded evidence showing they were expert urban terrorists and had met with MILF leaders.

Their arrest prompted Rodriguez to reiterate his order for a tight watch on foreigners entering the country through the South, particularly in the ports of the cities of Davao, Zamboanga, General Santos and Cotabato.

Meanwhile, Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF vice chairman for political affairs, said they could forge a peace pact with the Estrada government, but warned they could take a "harsher" alternative should the talks fail.

Jaafar said the MILF's central committee remains committed to peace, but that the talks could be sabotaged by local and national leaders.

"We appeal to all leaders, especially those in Central Mindanao, to support the peace talks because this will probably be the last time for us to give a chance to a peaceful solution," Jaafar said in a radio interview aired in Zamboanga City.

President Estrada has given government and MILF panels until June to forge a political settlement to the rebel group's 21-year secessionist campaign.

In another development, Maguindanao's 20-member mayors' league called on the negotiators to tackle setbacks in the education of Muslim children brought about by hostilities between state and rebel forces in the province.

Due to frequent disruptions in classes, many school children have either dropped out of school or have not moved from their grade levels for three years, according to studies by non-government organizations.

The education department of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has resorted to various measures to address the problem, including giving "incentives" like bags and school supplies to 100,000 pupils at the start of the school year. - With Roel Pareño, John Unson and AFP