Arroyo Visits Cotabato, Launches UN World Food Program

Above, President Gloria Arroyo shakes hands with a woman dresed in traditional ethnic costumes during the launching Saturday 08 July 2006 of the United Nation’s $20 million World Food Program in Cotabato City in the southern Philippines. With Arroyo are Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema, Wurie Alghassim, UN-WFP Country Representative and an unidentified foreigner.

And Cotabato City police chief, Senior Superintendent Peraco Macacua and his deputy Superintendent Pendatun Salilama speak to policemen during Arroyo’s visit, while
Secy. Mike Defensor, an aide of Arroyo, briefs reporters in Cotabato City on the ongoing government development programs in the southern Philippines. (Mark Navales)

COTABATO CITY (Mark Navales / 08 Jul) Philippine leader Gloria Arroyo visited Saturday the southern city of Cotabato, where she held a series of meetings with Cabinet and local government officials.

Arroyo also led the launching of the United Nation's $20 million food aid program to Mindanao island, home to many indigenous and Muslim tribes. Security was tight during her visit as hundreds of well wishers welcomed the President.

Many were chanting "Gloria...Gloria" and supporters carried banners and streamers with images of her.

Mayor Muslimin Sema also led local leaders in welcoming Arroyo and her entourage. "We are so happy that the President visited Cotabato City and this speaks well of the prevailing peace and order here," Sema told the Zamboanga Journal.

Arroyo pledged to bring more development aid to the southern Philippines, where the government is currently negotiating peace with the country's largest Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The President opened peace talks with the MILF in an effort to end more than three decades of bloody fighting in the strife-torn, but mineral-rich Mindanao region.