US peace officials to visit Mindanao

Iligan City — Officials of the United States Institute for Peace (USIP) are expected to arrive in Mindanao for consultations with concerned people on the Mindanao problem and discuss autonomy for Muslims.

According to Mike Kulat, coordinator for Muslim non-government organizations, the autonomy issue is expected to be raised during the consultations by the USIP. However, he said that "autonomy is not acceptable."

Kulat warned the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leadership that the promised "enhanced autonomy is nothing new as far as the solution of the Moro problem is concerned."

"It is an old colonial pattern designed to perpetuate colonial mandate in the Moro land," he said.

"MILF must be careful of the trap that befell the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), which accepted a "meaningful autonomy." In like manner, the "enhanced autonomy" being offered to the MILF, is not really enhanced or improved," he added.

The seccessionist MNLF and MILF have been fighting for an independent state for almost three decades now.

During his visit to Marawi City recently, Presidential Adviser on Special Concerns Norberto Gonzales told Muslims that statehood is possible but an advocacy is needed through dialogue and peaceful means.

"Deep in their hearts, the Muslims want statehood," Gonzales said.

A tremendous decrease in armed hostilities in Mindanao between government troops and the MILF rebels has been noted between July and October this year.

This is attributed to the efforts of both the government and the MILF to push through with the peace talks, which is scheduled to be held soon in Malaysia.