The government is planning to give Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Nur Misuari a Malacañang post or even an ambassadorship in a move apparently meant to appease him following his removal as head of the Southern Philippines Council on Peace and Development (SPCPD).
Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao said the President may appoint Misuari as one of her advisers or ambassadors once his term as ARMM governor expires.
"The President would like to thank him for his magnanimity and for his valuable contribution to the historic peace settlement between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front, including the many years he served as SPCPD chairman," Tiglao said.
"She hopes he will continue to help the government’s efforts to uplift the lives of our Muslim brothers in another appointive position," he added.
Tiglao said that Misuari had expressed sadness when Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo and Presidential Adviser on Regional Development Paul Dominguez informed him of his impending removal as SPCPD head.
"He felt sad over the news. He’s agreeable but gave no indication that he would resort to violence. After all he’s still ARMM governor and still a government official," Tiglao said.
Misuari will be replaced by Cotabato Mayor Muslimin Sema as chairman of the SPCPD. Sema is secretary general of the MNLF and former executive director of the SPCPD. He will serve as SPCPD head until the result of the Aug. 14 plebiscite on the expansion of the ARMM is known.
Tiglao explained that although the President gave Sema the SPCPD chairmanship, still the MNLF has the authority to name the council’s chairman as stated in the 1996 peace agreement the rebel group signed with the government.
He noted that 32 of the 35 members of the MNLF central committee have voted for Sema to replace Misuari.
Officials of the ARMM and the MNLF said Misuari has lost their support and the backing of the people due to his alleged failure to govern effectively.
Misuari threatened that violence would erupt once the plebiscite on the ARMM’s expansion pushes through this Tuesday. He said the Commission on Elections failed to make adequate preparations for the referendum and has failed to inform voters of the importance of the polls.
He is pushing that the plebiscite be moved to May 2002 to coincide with the barangay elections.
The ARMM groups three provinces, namely Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Lanao del Sur. The plebiscite will ask residents of Basilan, North and South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Saranggani, Davao del Sur and Palawan if they want their provinces included in the autonomous region.
The government said the ARMM’s expansion will go well with its ongoing peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), another rebel group which recently signed an agreement to unite with the MNLF.
The MILF is fighting a separatist war similar to what the MNLF fought for in almost three decades. It is at present negotiating for a peace agreement with the government.