GMA thanks Gadhafi for supporting peace process in Mindanao

President Arroyo thanked Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi yesterday for his country’s continued support of peace and development efforts in the country, particularly in Mindanao.

In a letter to Gadhafi, hand-carried by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita last week, Mrs. Arroyo expressed her gratitude to Gadhafi for supporting interfaith dialogue as a means to promote peace and prevent conflicts.

A Malacañang official said Mrs. Arroyo noted that Libya had sent a contingent to the International Monitoring Team to monitor the ceasefire between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) while a final peace agreement is being forged.

"The President thanked Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi for Libya’s support all these years, starting with their support for the peace talks with the Moro National Liberation Front that led to a final peace agreement in 1996, and their support for our peace process with the MILF," the official said.

Mrs. Arroyo also expressed appreciation for Libya’s backing of the Philippines’ bid to attain observer status in the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), the official added.

Ermita left for Libya last Friday to attend the five-day World Islamic People’s Leadership Conference in Tripoli organized by the World Islamic Call Society (WICS) to represent Mrs. Arroyo.

Speaking before the conference, Ermita pushed for more interfaith dialogue among nations and peoples as an effective way to prevent or end conflicts around the world.

The Philippines had formally sought observer status in the OIC in 2003, but up to now the organization has yet to finally decide on its application.

Libya has taken an active role in Mindanao affairs, including helping with negotiations for the release of hostages taken by the Abu Sayyaf in recent years.

At one time, Saif al-Islam Gadhafi, son of the Libyan leader, personally negotiated for the release of the hostages.

The Philippines has spearheaded efforts to institutionalize interfaith and intercultural dialogue before the United Nations.

Earlier this year, the UN unanimously approved the Philippine resolution.

The Tripoli-based WICS is the world’s foremost Islamic benevolent organization with members around the globe, according to its website.

"The WICS has succeeded in relieving the suffering of many millions in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Caribbean," the WICS website said.

"By providing medical caravans, food, teachers and the financial assistance for the establishment of mosques and Islamic centers, the WICS has helped to bring hope to many who are suffering severe poverty as well as from natural and man-made disasters."

It has joined hands with United Nations agencies like the UNESCO to help eradicate poverty, illiteracy and hunger and thirst, WICS added.

It is also working "to develop the agricultural and manufacturing sectors of less developed economies." Its mandate is to work cooperatively with Muslim and non-Muslim organizations "to serve the needs of humanity."

The WICS became a legal entity on the 29th Rajab-al-Awal or 1972, according to its website.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police chief Director General Arturo Lomibao has expressed belief in the sincerity of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in current peace talks.

Lomibao made the assertion after meeting with MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu during the formal opening of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila’s Rizal Park last Saturday.

"The way I see it, they are really sincere," he said.

"It was a sight to behold, meaning before both the MILF and the government were at loggerheads, now (they are) in one venue shaking hands. You will feel and see that there is hope in true sports."

Lomibao said the government invited the MILF led by Kabalu to attend the SEA Games opening to show that sports are "non-partisan activities."

"We want to show that sports (are) non-partisan activities that even friends, foes and enemies can get together and play on one playing field," he said. — With Cecille Suerte Felipe