P.5-B Mindanao peace fund put up

President Arroyo and a group of 50 congressmen formalized yesterday their initiative to put up a P500-million Mindanao Peace and Development Fund to restore peace and order in the island and thus, lure tourists and investors there.

Mrs. Arroyo witnessed the signing of the formal agreement with the 50 congressmen, who each agreed to set aside P5 million of their pork barrel for the fund.

Mrs. Arroyo committed to contribute a counterpart P250 million, bringing the total fund to P500 million.

The agreement was signed by Speaker Jose de Venecia and Rep. Mayo Almario, chairman of the House committee on Mindanao affairs, and Secretaries Angelo Reyes (Defense), Jose Lina Jr. (Interior and Local Government) and Emilia Boncodin (Budget and Management).

Mrs. Arroyo said the fund should be used to pursue the key components of her administration’s peace policy in Mindanao which, she said, is hinged on "active defense" against elements who sow violence and terrorism.

Meanwhile, she reiterated the government’s desire to avail itself of the help being offered by the Organization of Islamic Conference to pursue peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. — Marichu Villanueva