Hussin, ARMM caretaker reconcile

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao — Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Parouk Hussin and outgoing Regional Speaker Alvarez Isnaji reconciled and smoked the proverbial peace pipe after a brief, but emotion-filled dialogue here the other day.

The meeting of Hussin and Isnaji, who earlier refused to vacate the region’s gubernatorial post which he occupied since last November on hold-over basis, was brokered by Brig. Gen. Roy Kyamko and lawyer Nabil Tan, deputy presidential adviser on the peace process.

"(It was) only then when we realized that these two leaders were not adversaries after all. It could have been only because of their different principles in governance that we have construed them as rivals or enemies squabbling for the highest elective post in the ARMM," Kyamko said.

Kyamko said Hussin and Isnaji, along with officers of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, even ended up discussing the reception for President Arroyo who is visiting Maguindanao and Cotabato City on Jan. 4-5.

Tan is optimistic that Hussin’s takeover will boost the implementation of the peace pact with the Moro National Liberation Front.