|
Peace Holding Firm in Mindanao
MANILA, Aug 9 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Two days after the signing of a historic accord in Kuala Lumpur, both government agencies and Muslim activists in the Philippines said peace was holding firm in Mindanao.
Sources close to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which has finally gained international and national recognition with the signing of a peace treaty in Malaysia, said its forces were observing the peace treaty.
Recent firefights involving the MILF and the Philippine military in some sensitive areas of Mindanao have ended, with the MILF maintaining its positions within its camps.
Several figures among the Bangsamoro people greeted the signing of the peace treaty with "praise to almighty Allah", saying that they expect this accord to last long and be beneficial for all the parties involved.
In her report to the Filipino people after her first state visit to Malaysia, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said that Malaysia is behind them in the peace and development efforts.
She revealed that the Philippines has the unstinting support of Mahathir Mohamed's government, and that of the Malaysian people in seeking fundamental requisites of peace and development in the area.
The President added that, "Malaysia shall only support a solution to the conflict in Mindanao that derives from the inviolable standards of the Philippine constitution, our national sovereignty, and territorial integrity."
A delightful Arroyo was full of praise for Mahathir whom she called a broker of peace, indicating that it was probably the Malaysian prime minister who insisted upon the MILF to sign the treaty.
The MILF, a day before the signing ceremony on August 8th, had said that it was still hesitant, and that details remained that were not finalized.
Arroyo said Mahathir was not only a role model, but was like a "brother" to her, ever generous to provide aid if asked.
To the people of Mindanao, the role played by Libya, Malaysia and Indonesia in the peace talks "would always be remembered".
"Mindanao will never forget those who helped seal this new deal, and if everything goes according to plans, this region will be peaceful for years," IslamOnline was told.
However, barely had warring factions begun to show their enthusiasm when a new element threatened to disrupt the new-found peace in Mindanao.
Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Nur Misuari stated that he doubted that the conduct of the plebiscite on the extended ARMM set for August 14th would be peaceful.
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Assistant Regional Cabinet Secretary for ARMM, Habib Jamahasali Abduraman, agreed with Misuari, saying that it was not possible to have peaceful conduct during the plebiscite.
The referendum will probably see the end of Misuari's rule in Mindanao. He has been ejected from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and will probably be forced to lead a legal battle on who owns the MILF faction.
The MNLF cited ongoing military operations against the Abu Sayyaf and the government's warrant-less arrests made in Basilan and Zamboanga against supporters of the bandit group.
Mindanao has been torn with a 23 -year war that has caused the death of more than 120,000 people, and displaced millions from their homes.
The region is vastly Muslim-dominated, though previous Manila administrations attempted to dilute the Muslim majority by attempts to settle Christians in the region.
With additional reporting by Kazi Mahmood
|
