Diplomats project strong ties with new ARMM gov

COTABATO CITY — Representatives of member-countries of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) made themselves conspicuous in yesterday’s installation of Zaldy Ampatuan as the new governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Ambassadors Salem Adam and Mohammad Ibrahim Aljowaid, of Libya and the United Arab Emirates, respectively, even allowed photojournalists to take pictures of them huddling with Ampatuan, saying they wanted to project their strong relations with the new ARMM leadership.

Diplomats from Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and the United Nations, and representatives of the US Agency for International Development and other foreign donor entities also graced the installation of Ampatuan, who was sworn into office by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.

Some 10,000 people, among them Muslim and Christian religious leaders, mayors, barangay officials and representatives of the region’s cross-section, witnessed the event, causing traffic jams in the streets around the 32-hectare ARMM compound.

Ermita also administered the oaths of office of ARMM Vice Gov. Ansarudin Adiong and the 24 members of the Regional Legislative Assembly.

In his inaugural speech, Ampatuan acknowledged the decades-old struggle of the Moro people for peace and sustainable development in their communities.

The ARMM covers Marawi City, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, both in Central Mindanao, and the island-provinces of Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi.

Ampatuan, son of Maguindanao Gov. Datu Andal Ampatuan, promised to vigorously pursue diplomatic initiatives that would complement the Southern Mindanao peace process and the ongoing peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

"We can sit together and, on the bargaining table, negotiate for peace as men and women of reasons," he said. "I believe peace begets peace."

While focusing on the needs of his 3.2-million Muslim, Christian and highland constituents, Ampatuan said his administration will also extensively support President Arroyo’s confidence-building measures to bolster her peace and socio-economic initiatives in the autonomous region.

Local officials were delighted by the presence of the diplomats from the OIC member-states in the symbolic oathtaking of Ampatuan and Adiong.

"This is a very clear sign that the OIC recognizes the administration of Gov. Ampatuan, ending speculations that it might not because the new governor is not a member of any Moro rebel faction," said Tawi-Tawi Gov. Sadikul Sahali.

Leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), which signed a peace pact with government on Sept. 2, 1996, earlier ranted about Malacañang’s non-anointment of an MNLF member as its official gubernatorial candidate in the Aug. 8 regional elections.

"The presence of the diplomats from different Muslim nations in the oathtaking of Ampatuan was enough proof that the OIC also recognizes Philippine sovereignty and all democratic processes in the country," a Protestant preacher said.