"Next Sunday, talks would commence between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the government peace panel," Arroyo said

By Rexcel Sorza, IOL Philippines Correspondent

MANILA, July 28 (IslamOnline.net) - A day after quelling a mutiny staged by disgruntled soldiers, the most serious threat to her two-year-old presidency, Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said in her 45-minute State of the Nation Address Monday, July 28, that her government is bent on inking a lasting peace accord with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), as thousands took to the streets protesting the two-year-old Arroyo's rule. 

"Next Sunday, talks would commence between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the government peace panel towards a lasting peace agreement," she proudly revealed as she outlined her accomplishments since clutching power from deposed president Joseph Estrada in 2001.

The MILF is fighting for a separate state for the Bangsamoro people in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao.

Arroyo said in a televised speech before members of both houses of Congress, justices of the Supreme Court, military and police officials as well as foreign diplomats that her government has succeeded in meeting its targets on making food available in every table. She bragged that jobs, houses, and education have become more accessible to most of the 80 million Filipinos and Filipinas.

She enjoined the residents of this Southeast Asian republic to help in the war on terrorism, corruption, illegal drugs, and destabilization.

"In our united fight we shall altogether prevail and triumph," she said, as she extended the invitation to Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri "to work together for democracy and security."

The Army and Navy soldiers, who seized Oakwood Premier condominium complex in the capital’s Makati financial district and asked her to step down, causing damage to the economy, "must go to jail," Arroyo added, disclosing that she is going to set up "an independent committee to investigate the roots of the mutiny and the provocation."

Nearly 300 rebel soldiers agreed late Sunday, July 27, to return to barracks and to face military justice, bringing a tense one-day mutiny to an end.

In her third address on state of the nation, Arroyo also said she is also creating as "independent commission" to investigate bombings in Davao City in southern Philippines and a police-reform commission.

"Such an action are deplorable and would be met with the full force of the law."

The mutineers alleged Sunday that the defense secretary and military intelligence chief have staged the bombings in a wharf and a mosque in Davao City early this year in order to have the Bangsamoro group Moro Islamic Liberation Front declared as a terrorist group and seek aide from the United States.

Anti-Arroyo Demo

However, thousands of protesters took to the streets in all major cities in the country and in the capital Manila assailing Arroyo’s performance saying she has not made life better for the people of the Philippines.

They criticized her for serving the "imperialist interests" of the United States. They have earlier slammed her for supporting the U.S. attack on Iraq.

"The coup attempt by some disgruntled military officials shows the worsening corruption and conspiracy of people in the Arroyo administration to intensify attacks on people’s democratic rights.  If these military officials have issues to raise, how much more the majority of people, who suffer from extreme poverty and repression?" Jeffrey Celiz, leader of the militant New Patriotic Alliance, told IOL.

He added that, "The Arroyo government is isolated from the people. In her more than two years in office, Mrs. Arroyo has failed to bring in reforms and solve long-standing issues that affect the people."

He asked Arroyo, who is rumored to seek another term in next year’s polls, not to do so.

"Run away, Gloria, run away! See you no more in 2004," Celiz said.