Mindanao leaders back Bush call for end to Mindanao terror

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Several leaders from Mindanao have expressed support for US President George W. Bush’s call to end terrorism and Washington’s offer to act as peace broker between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The MILF, however, stressed that Malaysia, not Washington, should mediate the peace talks.

Bush earlier warned the MILF that the US will be compelled to "be involved to the extent that (President Arroyo) invites us to be involved within the (bounds of the Philippine) Constitution" if the Muslim separatist group refuses to renounce its terrorist activities.

Mrs. Arroyo "and I also reviewed the developments with the MILF. The group must abandon the path of violence. If it does so, and addresses its grievances through peaceful negotiation, the US will provide diplomatic and financial support to a renewed peace process," Bush added.

In a statement e-mailed to The STAR, the Mindanao leaders said they, representing the "citizens of Mindanao, support the idea of Bush calling upon the protagonists in the war in Mindanao to desist from acts of terrorism so that America can act as an honest broker for peace to end the fratricidal war there."

The statement was signed by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Rep. Benasir Macarambon Jr. (second district, Lanao del Sur); Rep. Faisah Dumarpa (first district, Lanao del Sur); Professor Almarin Tillah of the Bangsamoro National Congress; Ambassador Abul Khayr Alonto of the Muslim Federal Party and Datu Haj Ansari Alonto of the Karitan Foundation Inc.

The Mindanao leaders also "endorse the idea of federalizing the Republic (of the Philippines) to lay the foundations for a just and lasting peace in Mindanao."

Pimentel said Bush realized that continuing military operations would not fully solve the problem of insurgency in Mindanao.

He added that Mrs. Arroyo should take advantage of the US offer to broker peace between the government and the MILF, noting that the US has been effective in mediating peace in various parts of the world.

"I am confident that they will listen to reason, that war is not the way to solve the problems in Mindanao, it is actually peace negotiation," he said.

Pimentel also said that Bush’s offer should be reciprocated not only by the government but also by the MILF.

"I think it’s a good beginning, whereby we can start moving the peace process in Mindanao forward," he said.

The Mindanao leaders also commended the US government for extending a generous amount for the economic development of Mindanao and the reintegration and rehabilitation of former Muslim rebels who have returned to the fold of the law.

The US has allocated $30 million for livelihood assistance to former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fighters in 2003 and 2004.

MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar, despite saying that Bush’s support for peace negotiations is "a good development," stressed that while they welcome Washington’s support for the talks, Kuala Lumpur should still be the mediator.

"Malaysia has been doing an excellent job in mediating these talks since two years ago," he said.

The peace talks, which were scheduled to resume last month, were temporarily canceled by Mrs. Arroyo following the MILF’s attack on Maigo and Kolambugan in Lanao del Norte and Siocon in Zamboanga del Norte.

In a report posted on the MILF’s website, Jaafar said it is the "policy of the Front to welcome any help from individuals, groups or states leading to the just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Mindanao problem."

On the other hand, presidential adviser on the peace process Eduardo Ermita said MILF members may be included among the beneficiaries of financial assistance from the US government once they renounce their links with terrorist groups and resume peace talks with the government.

Mrs. Arroyo, in a press conference at the Philippine embassy in Washington, said the US has provided a $30-million dividend for the development of conflict areas in Mindanao.

"If they want their lives to improve, this is their chance," Ermita said in a radio interview.

He added that the agreement signed between the Philippines and the US provides for the MILF’s economic arm, the Bangsamoro Development Authority, to serve as a conduit in providing assistance to its members once the peace process succeeds.

Ermita, however, maintained that the government will not resume peace negotiations with the MILF until they agree to renounce their links with terrorist groups.

Mrs. Arroyo, during her meeting with Bush, was also assured of US support for her administration’s efforts to destroy terrorist groups in the country, particularly the Abu Sayyaf.

The two leaders agreed to hold another joint military exercise in which the US will provide support to ongoing military operations against the bandit group. — With Mayen Jaymalin, Jose Rodel Clapano