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Philippines Moro Separatists Hold No Illusions About New Government
by Kazi Mahmood
KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 (IslamOnline) - Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) spokesman Eid Kabalu said on Tuesday that the country's largest Moro separatist group does not hold any illusions about the new regime's efforts at peace.
He said the group was disappointed over the appointment of General Diomedio Villneuva as chief of staff of the armed forces, saying the appointment only reinforces the right-wing drift of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal - Arroyo's administration.
The MILF also said it has officially responded to calls for peace, but is observing the situation before signaling that it is ready for talks. It has complained to the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and to the administration in Manila that the Philippine armed forces are violating the government's self imposed ceasefire.
Meanwhile, the military launched a new offensive against the MILF by attacking it on the political front by trying to undermine the organization's credibility and that of its public relations officer, Eid Kabalu.
A spokesman for the Philippine military claimed that Kabalu is out of touch with the MILF's leadership, noting discrepancies between his pronouncements and official correspondence from MILF leaders.
The military spokesman, Rafael R. Gomez, who is part of the Philippines panel communications team, said Kabalu did not tell the truth when he said the MILF did not make any "substantial offer" for peace talks in response to the government's call.
Gomez said the MILF acknowledged receipt, through Lanang Ali, the appointed MILF liaison officer, of the initial letter from Arroyo's regime.
"Kabalu himself acknowledged Ali's role, saying he was appointed by MILF chairman Salamat Hashim," Gomez insisted.
Gomez said Kabalu erred in claiming the government panel had bypassed the normal channels in negotiations.
"In a letter dated February 24, 2001, Chairman Salamat informed peace panel chairman and Presidential Assistant for Mindanao, Jesus Dureza, that the latter's communication was received and duly forwarded to the MILF Central Committee, which in turn, has yet to meet and issue its official position," Gomez pointed out.
The MILF said the statement made by Kabalu on Monday apparently lit a fire under Gomez. Kabalu had said, "No matter who is appointed Armed Forces Chief, their main plan is still to eliminate us."
Kabalu also said the separatist group remains open to peace talks. But he asked the government to "first lay the groundwork" before pushing for the resumption of negotiations.
The MILF spokesman also revealed pessimism among MILF leaders when dealing with the army and civil administration from Manila.
"Except for former defense secretary Orlando Mercado, all the key players of deposed president Joseph Estrada's 'all-out war' in Mindanao hold important positions in the Macapagal-Arroyo administration," Kabalu complained.
"Outgoing Armed Forces chief, General Angelo Reyes, is also slated to takeover the defense post," he added.
"How can we expect change, when these are still the same genocidal people calling the shots in Mindanao policy-making?" he pointed out.
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