Angry President wants Misuari’s bail revoked

Nur Misuari. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

MANILA, Philippines - President Gloria Arroyo has ordered the Justice Department to study the revocation of the bail of Nur Misuari, founding chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front, and order his re-arrest on rebellion charges, an official said Wednesday.

Misuari’s letter to the Organization of Islamic Conference critical of the government could be considered a violation of his 2008 bail order, Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza said.

Misuari criticized the Arroyo administration for its alleged failure to fully implement the peace agreement that the MNLF signed with it in 1996, and a source said it made Mrs. Arroyo very angry on Tuesday.

The OIC is hosting a tripartite meeting in Libya, ahead of the June 30 change of administration in the Philippines, to preserve the gains of the peace agreement between Manila and the MNLF.

“The President has instructed the Department of Justice to study the possible revocation of Misuari’s bail,” Mendoza said.

“The recommendation of the National Security Council-Cabinet cluster is to sanction Misuari.”

Mendoza was the chief of the National Police when Malaysia turned over Misuari to Philippine authorities in 2002. He fled to Malaysia in 2001 after allegedly leading an attack on government troops in Sulu, where some 100 people were killed. He was later charged with rebellion.

Misuari’s bail order bars him from engaging in any political activity, or from participating in any action “inimical to the Philippine government” while in a foreign territory.

“He is in Libya now, and he is badmouthing the country,” Mendoza said.

An official described Misuari’s move as “treacherous,” because he handed his letter in Tripoli just as he was about to sign a deal with the Philippine government for the continued implementation of the 1996 peace agreement.

Still, both sides signed the deal and agreed to work on legislative measures to enhance the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the MNLF’s homeland. (Joyce P. Pañares - Manila Standard Today)


Link: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNews.htm?f=2010/april/22/news4.isx&d=2010/april/22

OIC praises truce in South RP

Army soldiers read the Mindanao Examiner newspaper in the southern Philippines. Manila and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front have forged a truce recently and would revive stalled peace talks in Mindanao. The Organization of the Islamic Conference praised the cease-fire and urged both sides to resume peace negotiations. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Mark Navales)

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 27, 2009) – The influential Organization of the Islamic Conference has praised Manila and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front for the cessation of hostilities in the troubled region of Mindanao.

President Gloria Arroyo has ordered the military to halt offensives against the Muslim rebels in an effort to revive the stalled peace talks with the MILF.

The MILF, the country’s largest Muslim rebel group, has reciprocated Arroyo’s gesture and also declared a truce. But the MILF said it would resume peace talks only if Arroyo honors the Muslim homeland deal which the Supreme Court declared as unconstitutional.

Peace talks collapsed in August last year both sides failed to sign the homeland deal that Christian politicians had opposed.

Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the OIC Secretary General, also called on the Arroyo government and the MILF to exert efforts in resuming stalled peace talks and realize security, peace and development in the southern Philippines.

He said OIC is ready and willing to make all-out efforts to assist in the peace process.

Foreign ministers of the OIC member states have previously expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in the southern Philippines because of the fighting that displaced more than 600,000 mostly Muslim civilians in Mindanao.

The MILF has welcomed Ihsanoglu statement, but said the OIC has to be more active in helping put an end to more than three decades of hostilities in the southern Philippines.

“We welcome the statement of Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, but the Bangsamoro people need more concrete actions from the OIC to help in putting an end to the conflict in Mindanao that has affected more than half a million people,” Eid Kabalu, a senior MILF leader, told the Mindanao Examiner.

Malaysia, a member of the OIC, is brokering the peace talks between the Philippines and the MILF.

Kabalu also has sought aid from the OIC to help starving Muslim refugees in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)

Philippines says Observer bid in OIC supported by member states

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RP's bid in OIC opposed by Turkey, 3 other countries

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GRP-MNLF-OIC review implementation of 1996 Final Peace Agreement

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 13, 2009) - The three-day third session of the tripartite talks among the government of the Philippines (GRP), the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) opened in Manila with all three heads of delegations acknowledging that the Filipino people have been waiting "far too long" for peace to descend in Mindanao.

According to the official Philippine News Agency, the current session convened to evaluate the results of the joint working group meetings between the GRP and the MNLF which are being facilitated by the OIC-Peace Committee of Southern Philippines, also known as the Committee of 12 (C12) led by Indonesia. The first two sessions were held in Jeddah and Istanbul respectively.

At least five key issues are bones of contention in the protracted sessions of the GRP and MNLF, revolving mainly on the review of how the 1996 Final Peace Agreement has been implemented.
The issues include the integration of Muslims in mainstream government, the Shari'ah law and the judiciary, education and economic development.

Among others, the Agreement led to the establishment of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), with Nur Misuari as the first governor.

But GRP panel head Nabil Tan emphasized in his opening statement that "a review is not a renegotiation but a review of how implementation has fared."

Special Envoy Sayed El-Masry of Egypt, who represented the OIC Secretary-General, agreed with Tan.

"The Bangsamoro has been looking at us for many years to help them out," Masry said, as he reiterated appreciation for President Gloria Arroyo for her efforts in achieving peace in Mindanao.

Misuari led the 200-strong MNLF delegation, but he lamented the slow implementation process of the peace accord. He said it has been 33 years since the first Agreement was brokered by Libya and 13 years since the 1996 version in Indonesia and four years since the tripartite talks were first broached in Sanna, Yemen.

Misuari lambasted what he called as "platitudes after platitudes on peace" and appealed that his listeners "search (their) conscience, to make a resolution to break the cycle of terror and war in our homeland."

Misuari declared that the current sessions "is our last chance …and if we don't succeed in peace talks…we have no choice but to…probably return to our (MNLF) message of independence."

Ambassador Masry and two other members of the OIC C12 reacted and said "that's Misuari as he is…we've heard that before."

The OIC C12, which handles the Mindanao problem and led by Indonesia, includes Turkey, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Libya, Malaysia, Indonesia, Egypt, Brunei, Bangladesh, Senegal, Pakistan and Somalia.

Other high-profile MNLF members at the sessions included former ARMM Gov. Hussein Parouk, who is the MNLF's Foreign Affairs Secretary, and Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema.

Parouk noted that peace talks "can't go on forever, but a review of the Agreement" is vital. Even during his time as ARMM governor, Parouk had vigorously espoused putting Muslims in key government institutions such as the Supreme Court.

"Definitely, there is a Muslim who is qualified to be there (SC)…as much as there have already been Muslim associate justices in the Court of Appeals and the Commission on Elections," he told the Philippines News Agency at the sidelines of the session.

"We need to review an issue in the Shari'ah law and justice system for Muslims," he said. He referred apparently to the stringent requirement that admission to the Shari'ah Bar is predicated with membership in the secular and mainstream Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP).

In his opening statement, Masry pointed to the urgency of getting real deals in the current sessions. "In front of us is a real clue to move forward and let not the momentum slip away from our grasp."

There is "urgency for everyone to find the courage to put substance in to the peace process," Masry emphasized. "The time is now…and I appeal to the OIC to be steadfast in their commitment."

Philippines, MNLF, OIC meeting opens in Manila

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 10) - The three-day tripartite meeting of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP), the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) to review the implementation of the 1996 final peace agreement will open Wednesday here, government media said.

The Philippine News Agency said a four-man delegation from the OIC, headed by Ambassador Sayyed Kaseem El-Masry, is now in the country to attend the three-day session.

The conference will be held at the Heritage Hotel in suburban Pasay City unitl Friday. El-Masry is the special envoy of OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanuglo.

Other members of El-Masry’s delegation are OIC Director Talal Daus, Director Taher Saif and Ali Demirci, El-Masry’s special assistant.

Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Reslan Jeni, who is also the chair of the Peace Committee for Southern Philippines (PCSP), will preside over the confab.

Members of the PCSP-OIC who are resident ambassadors will also attend the meeting.
The GRP delegation is led by Undersecretary Nabil Tan of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) headed by Secretary Avelino Razon Jr.

The two previous tripartite meetings were held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and Istanbul, Turkey.
Tan said this will be the first time the Philippines will host the confab.

He said among the issues to be discussed are the Shari’ah and Judiciary; Special Regional Security Force and Unified Command for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao; Natural Resources and Economic Development; Political System and Representation, and Education.

Gov. Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will attend the three-day meeting as representative of the ARMM.

It may be recalled that the GRP-MNLF signed the historic peace agreement in Malacanang on September 2, 1996 during the presidency of President Fidel Ramos.

OIC appeals to the Philippines, MILF rebels to end clashes in Mindanao

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 13, 2008) – The influential Organization of the Islamic Conference has appealed to the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to end clashes in Mindanao and resume peace talks in the restive region.

Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the OIC Secretary General, also expressed deep concern about the increasing deterioration of the situation in the southern Philippines where fighting between security and rebel forces have displaced as many as half a million people since peace talks collapsed in August.

He said the continued military operation has severely affected civilians in Mindanao.

Peace talks, brokered by Malaysia, were suspended by President Gloria Arroyo after rebel forces attacked civilian targets in Mindanao over the failed signing in August of a Muslim territorial deal with the MILF, the country's largest Muslim rebel group which is fighting for decades for self-determination in the southern Philippines.

The Supreme Court declared the land deal, which would have created the so-called Bangsamoro Juridical Entity, unconstitutional. The controversial deal also sparked massive protests from politicians and residents opposed to the ancestral domain agreement.

Arroyo has scrapped the deal which the government and rebel peace negotiators initially signed in July in Malaysia.

She also disbanded the government peace panel negotiating with rebels and demanded the MILF to surrender three commanders – Ameril Kato, Abdullah Macapaar and Sulayman Pangalian – who led the deadly attacks in at least 3 provinces in central Mindanao.

Manila has put up a P10 million bounties each for the capture of Macapaar, Kato and Pangalian. Arroyo said the government would only return to the peace talks if the MILF surrenders the three rebel commanders.

Ihsanoglu appealed to Arroyo to "rapidly return to the negotiating table" in order to work out creative solutions matching agreements with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the requirements of the Supreme Court.

"The uninterrupted military operations have resulted in the displacement of more than half a million civilians who live in shelters in dire conditions," Ihsanoglu said as he warned that this situation empowers undisciplined elements who seek to abort the peace process and fuel extremist feelings.

He urged Manila and the MILF to save the peace process from sliding into further deterioration and resume negotiations while continuing to work in the same positive spirit that led to the accomplishments made so far through negotiations and build upon these achievements in a bid to reach the just and durable peace desired by all.

Ihsanoglu expressed optimism the leaderships of the negotiating parties have a sense of wisdom and responsibility to work together in order to find a proper way out of this crisis which threatens to thwart the peace process.

Fierce fighting between Filipino troops and Muslim rebels continue in Mindanao, according to Mohagher Iqbal, chief MILF peace negotiator. "There is fighting going in Lanao del Sur and other parts of Mindanao. But we support the calls of the OIC to end these fighting and resume the peace talks with the Philippine government," he told the Mindanao Examiner.

Iqbal said the MILF has not abandoned the peace talks, but Arroyo. "We have never abandoned the peace talks. We are always for peace and the MILF appreciates the concerns of the OIC and other international groups and countries supporting the peace process in Mindanao," he said.

But Iqbal said hopes of resuming the peace talks with Arroyo are unlikely because of the continued military operation. "With this situation in Mindanao, there is little hope in continuing the peace talks," he said.

The MILF earlier said it would only resume peace talks if Arroyo honors the territorial homeland deal that would grant a separate homeland to over four million Muslims across more than 700 villages in Mindanao. Malaysia has previously accused the Arroyo government of delaying the peace negotiations. (Mindanao Examiner)

Cease-fire, Foreign Supports Hold Back Full Blown War In Southern Philippines

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 5, 2008) – A fragile cease-fire agreement and commitments of support by international communities are what is holding a full-blown war from erupting in the southern Philippines, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said Sunday.

The MILF said rebel forces are parrying attacks by Filipino troops in the provinces of Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Sarangani and Lanao del Norte, although sporadic fighting have been reported in Sultan Kudarat, Shariff Kabunsuan and Basilan island.

President Gloria Arroyo has suspended the seven-year old peace talks with the MILF and ordered a military offensive against rebels forces blamed for a series of attacks in North Cotabato, Lanao del Norte and Sarangani in August after the aborted signing of the Muslim territorial deal the government initially signed with the secessionist group.

She also disbanded the government team negotiating peace with the MILF and totally scrapped the ancestral domain agreement with the country’s largest Muslim rebel group.

“There is no hope of resuming the peace under this Arroyo government. She had reneged on a deal that would have brought peace to the Bangsamoro land,” Eid Kabalu, a senior MILF leader, told the Mindanao Examiner.

He said government offensives against the MILF are continuing in Mindanao.

“The cease-fire agreement with the Philippine government and commitments of support to the peace in Mindanao are the only thing holding back a full-blown war between rebel and military forces,” he said.

Kabalu said many countries are still supporting the peace process in the troubled region.

“We have Saudi Arabia, Libya, Malaysia, the United States, Japan, Brunei, including the Organization of the Islamic Conference, to name a few which are supporting the peace process in Mindanao. And the MILF is sincere in achieving peace in Mindanao,” he said.

But Manila insisted the MILF to surrender rebel three commanders, Ameril Kato, Abdurahman Macapaar and Sulayman Pangalian who led the deadly attacks in the provinces before peace talks could resume.

The MILF rejected the demand and said it would investigate the involvements of the trio in the attacks and punish them if they are guilty. “We will sanction them and the MILF will not condone any atrocities committed by its members,” Kabalu said.

Authorities have offered P10 million reward each for information that will lead to the arrest of Kato, Macapaar and Pangalian, who are facing criminal charges along with over a hundred followers also implicated in the attacks.

Kato even posted a video recently on the Internet and taunted the military to get him, while Macapaar spoke on radio and mocked government forces for failing to capture him despite thousands of troops, backed by US military intelligence, pursuing them. (Mindanao Examiner)

Philippine Groups Urge UN, OIC To Intervene In Mindanao Conflict

Citizens and peace advocates appeal to the United Nations and the Organization of the Islamic Conference to mediate and intervene in the Muslim Mindanao long-aged conflict as they rally in the Islamic City of Marawi.

MANIFESTO CALLING ON THE UNITED NATIONS (UN) AND THE ORGANIZATION OF ISLAMIC CONFERENCE (OIC) TO INTERVENE AND MEDIATE TO END THE WAR IN MINDANAO AND INTERCEDE FOR THE JUST RESOLUTION OF THE BANGSAMORO STRUGGLE FOR THE RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION.

When, at the dawn of the high-tech, ultra civilized 21st century, the Bangsamoro finds itself still bereft of its inherent rights and freedoms as a distinct sovereign nation, stolen as they were, under cover of "civilizing" democracy by successive colonizers;

When, after many decades of so-called peace negotiations, the Bangsamoro people wakes up to the harsh truth of the abominable situation of sustained betrayal, manipulation, lying, cheating, and killing by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines;

When, today, the Bangsamoro is subjected to another cruel war by a government that abdicated democratic government, declaring the Bangsamoro as its subjects for protection yet waging atrocious war against it, this time, right after the exposure of its base insincerity in consummating the previously agreed upon and approved Memorandum of Agreement on ancestral domain (MOA-AD), executed by and between the government of the republic of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF);

When, today, the Bangsamoro cannot find any redeeming justification for the non-existence of genocidal intent in the acts of the government of the republic of the Philippines in 1) taking side with the notorious Ilonggo land grabbers association (Ilaga) and other land usurpers, all of whom have amassed wealth in Bangsamoro territories without consent nor participation of the Bangsamoro, and some of whom also wrested control of local governance and would own the whole of Bangsamoro homeland by systematically dispossessing the Bangsamoro, and 2) unleashing disproportionately massive military forces with heavy land and air artillery for pursuing two commanders of the MILF yet indiscriminately bombing and destroying communities and villages and deliberately sowing fear and terror to the populace resulting to the displacement of thousands and thousands of innocent civilians;

When, today, the acts of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines include the incomparably contemptible authorization and distribution of 13,000 arms to civilians, many recipients of whom are Ilaga adherents who desire above all to drive out the Moro people from their territories thereby exposing all pretensions to equal protection of its peoples by the GRP, as well as the scheme to instigate a genocidal civil war reminiscent of the dictator Marcos policy, to broad daylight;

When, today, despite the valiant resistance of Bangsamoro freedom fighters against an overwhelming war machinery and military operations of a colonial government and despite the perseverance of the great majority of the Bangsamoro to sustain and advance the struggle, the Bangsamoro civil society believes that the only remaining hope for immediate and just resolution of the conflict is in the existence of international organizations and entities sworn to maintain world peace and security by safeguarding human rights and peoples' rights and the promotion of conflict resolution through principled, just and peaceful means;

And when, today, we, the Bangsamoro multi-sectoral members of the civil populace of Lanao resolve to adhere to the hope and trust that these humanitarian organizations, appraised of a gross crime against humanity in our region of the world will come to the aid of the victims of this unjust war, the peace-loving Bangsamoro and Filipino civil populace, alike;

With solemn prayers that this appeal finds its niche in the hearts and minds of all peace-loving citizens and organizations of the humane world, we therefore call on the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Conference to jointly intervene in this Mindanao conflict, to mediate for the cessation of the war and to institute the just resolution of the grievous injustices to the Bangsamoro and their right to self-determination;

We call on the United Nations to investigate and determine the true cause and extent of the war and if the principles and purposes for which the UN exists still operates, to disregard the GRP assertion of the war as an internal affair or that the current imposition of war on the Bangsamoro is legitimate and instead afford protection of all peace-loving Bangsamoro and Filipino civil populace from the scourge of unjust war and especially to uphold and protect the Bangsamoro right to self-determination as guaranteed under UN declaration and international laws.

Issued this 2nd day of October, 2008 during the multi-sectoral Bangsamoro civil populace rally for peace at the Plaza Cabili, Islamic City of Marawi.

Resolve Philippine Moro Insurgency Without External Help, Senator Tells Gov't

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OIC Secretary-General Gives Eid Al Fitr Message

The Message of the OIC Secretary General Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu on the occasion of the End of holy month of Ramadan and auspicious event of advent of Eid Al Fitr.

In these blessed days, the Muslim world is living through the last week of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and prayer, and preparing itself to celebrate Eid Al Fitr, which is an occasion of joy and a time to give thanks to God Almighty who helped us fast and worship him.

In these holy days, I wish to express to the Muslim Ummah my sincere congratulations on the occasion of the Eid Al Fitr, praying to God that the coming month will bring us good tidings for a better future, progress and prosperity and usher in a new era when all difficulties and conflicts will come to an end through dialogue and peaceful means.

I also pray to God Almighty to grant us his guidance to reunite our ranks, strengthen our solidarity towards a prosperous and peaceful world, and enable us to safeguard the tenets of our faith from harm and evil.

The month of Ramadan is the month of peace, serenity and security, a month when Muslims particularly make sure to refrain from all forms of wrong-doing as ordained by the tenets and teachings of Islam.

Unfortunately in this holy month, heinous crimes were committed against innocents, leading to the loss of scores of human lives who were brutally murdered in a number of barbaric attacks including those in Islamabad and Sanaa, causing extensive damage and violating the serenity of the holy month and sanctity of human life.

Those two condemned senseless incidents, like previous terrorist attacks in various parts of the Muslim World, have been a source of tremendous amount of pain, grief, and distress. On this occasion our thoughts and prayers go to the departed souls, the wounded ones, the grieving families.

The sanctity of human life is strongly stressed in Islam. Any violation of this assertion should be vehemently condemned. Committing these atrocious sins particularly during the holy month of Ramadan, should make our rejection and condemnation even stronger and more determined.

In light of these tragic events, we would like to reiterate the steady position of the OIC, in condemning terrorism in all its manifestations, including hideous and misguided suicide attacks, irrespective of their motivations or justifications.

OIC Summits and Ministerial Conferences condemned terrorism in the strongest possible terms. No effort should be spared to bring the perpetrators of these barbaric attacks to face justice. On this occasion we reaffirm and reiterate our unyielding determination to combat this scourge by all means in cooperation with the international community.

We call upon the Muslims, the world over, to unite their stand on this issue and help to put an end to this phenomenon which distorts the image of Islam as a religion of peace, compassion and tolerance.

May we all live in a peaceful, just, tolerant and prosperous world where sanctity of human live is respected and dignity and inalienable rights of human being are upheld.

Philippines Abandons Homeland Deal With Muslim Rebels

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 29, 2008) – Manila on Friday said it is abandoning the homeland deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, but would still pursue peace talks with the Philippine’s largest Muslim rebel group, officials said.

Government and rebel peace negotiators last month have initially signed the memorandum of agreement on the ancestral domain. But the Supreme Court stopped the signing of the deal after some lawmakers and politicians opposed to the accord filed separate petitions, saying, there were no public consultations.

The accord would have granted Muslims their own homeland in more than 700 villages across Mindanao, but the deal also sparked a series of protests from politicians and residents opposed to the inclusion of their areas to the agreement that will make up the so-called Bangsamoro Juridical Entity.

President Gloria Arroyo, who opened peace talks with the MILF in 2001, has shifted in the basic premise of the government's peace effort after hundreds of rebels under Ameril Kato and Abdurahman Macapaar led a series of attacks in the provinces in Mindanao that killed dozens of civilians.

“The focus of our talks shall shift from the armed groups to the communities. The parameters governing our negotiations shall be a balance between the constitutionality and public sentiment,” Arroyo said.

Arroyo said the change in the government's approach to end the Mindanao conflict was prompted by the atrocities committed by the MILF attacks.

Hermogenes Esperon, the presidential peace adviser, said the government will longer sign the ancestral domain deal. “We will not sign the memorandum of agreement on the ancestral domain, but will continue with further negotiations with the MILF to arrive at final peace deal,” he told the Mindanao Examiner.

Esperon earlier said the ancestral domain deal is not self-executing and that there is a need for future discussions as peace negotiators frame the comprehensive peace agreement.

The MILF said it will not anymore negotiate the ancestral domain agreement because peace negotiators have already initialed the deal.

“It is already a done deal and we have been saying this all the time. We will not revisit or renegotiate the agreement on the ancestral domain,” Eid Kabalu, a senior MILF leader, said in a separate interview.

Kabalu said the MILF leadership will have to decide what steps to take after Manila abandoned the Muslim homeland deal. “It is really unfortunate that the Philippine government again reneged on the ancestral domain deal which is the product of long and arduous work of the peace negotiators,” he said.

He said the MILF will not abandon its fight for self-determination. “Our right to self-determination is non-negotiable,” he said. Last year, peace talks also stalled after government negotiators approved the Muslim homeland deal only to reneged it later.

Esperon said granting of independence is not and never was the intent of peace talks. He said it was the same position made by President Gloria Arroyo in her May 6 letter to Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi when the government peace panel and MILF were discussing the peace process.

Government peace negotiators and Arroyo's political allies have earlier proposed to amend the Constitution to change the system of government from presidential to parliamentary or federalism to allow the MILF to have a separate state.

Militant groups and political activists have repeatedly accused Arroyo of using the peace talks with the MILF to amend the Constitution and eventually prolong her to stay into power.

Under the presidential form of government, Arroyo is allowed only one six-year term. In the charter change proposal suggested by her political allies who dominate Congress, she can be elected as prime minister should Congress dissolve the Senate and change the system of government to parliamentary and eventually prolong her into power beyond 2010.

Arroyo deposed President Joseph Estrada in a people power revolution in 2001, but corruption scandals in her government and allegations of poll fraud in 2004 has made her extremely unpopular among many Filipinos.

Manila’s announcement coincided with fresh government assaults on suspected rebel strongholds in Maguindanao and Lanao del Norte provinces, where security forces are pursuing the groups of Kato and Macapaar.

Kabalu said military forces fired cannons and rockets and bombed MILF targets in the provinces in the guise of pursuing the two rogue rebel leaders. “They are attacking us and MILF forces have been ordered to defend themselves,” he said.

Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, a spokesman for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the assaults targeted rogue rebels. “This is a punitive action against rogue MILF members and this operation will continue until Kato and Macapaar are captured,” he said.

Manila demanded the MILF to surrender peacefully the two rogue commanders, now wanted by authorities, to face trial over the killings of civilians in the provinces of North Cotabato, Lanao del Norte, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao where rebel forces pillaged villages. Rebels launched the attacks after the aborted signing of the controversial ancestral domain agreement.

The influential Organization of the Islamic Conference condemned the rebel attacks. (Mindanao Examiner)

Troops Capture MILF Base In Southern Philippines

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 28, 2008) –Philippine soldiers pursuing Moro Islamic Liberation Front forces captured Thursday one of the rebel’s biggest camp in Mindanao as government offensive continue in the troubled region.

Officials said troops occupied Camp Bilal that straddles several towns in the hinterlands of Lanao del Norte, scene of fierce clashes between security and rebel forces.

But soldiers failed to capture two notorious rebel leaders - Ameril Kato and Abdurahman Macapaar – blamed for the series of attacks in Mindanao that killed nearly 200 people since last week.

More than 160,000 have been displaced by the fighting despite a cease-fire agreement between the two sides and the exodus of civilians still continue in many areas in Mindanao.

The influential Organization of the Islamic Conference on Wednesday appealed to Manila to halt military offensives in Mindanao. Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the OIC Secretary General, expressed deep concern over the recent outbreak of hostilities that is threatening the seven-year old peace talks between Manila and the MILF.

Hundreds of MILF rebels under Kato and Macapaar launched a series of attacks after the aborted signing August 5 of the memorandum of agreement on the ancestral domain between by peace negotiators.

The Supreme Court temporarily stopped the signing of the deal after some mostly Christian lawmakers and politicians opposed to the deal filed separate petitions.

The accord would have granted Muslims their own homeland in more than 700 villages across Mindanao. But the controversial agreement sparked a series of protests from residents opposed to the inclusion of their areas to the ancestral domain that will make up the so-called Bangsamoro Juridical Entity.

Ihsanoglu condemned the rebel attacks against innocent civilians, calling it illegitimate acts conducted by wayward elements affiliated with the MILF, which refused to abide to repeated appeals by the group's leadership to maintain calm, peace and restraint in Mindanao.

Manila has demanded the MILF to surrender Kato and Macapaar and also offered P10 million rewards for their capture. The government also said it will suspend the signing of the ancestral domain agreement until the two rogue leaders are captured.

But Ihsanoglu expressed concern over the reports that the Arroyo government intends to freeze the memorandum agreement on the ancestral domain, which he said came about as a result of strenuous, long and sincere efforts by peace negotiators.

He said it is unfortunate to let undisciplined elements from the MILF determine the course of negotiations or halt the peace process.

"The Secretary General urged the parties to the conflict to rapidly return to the negotiating table and continue working together in the same positive spirit that led to the conclusion of the agreement."

"The parties need to preserve and build upon the accomplishments so far achieved in a bid to reach the just and durable peace desired by all," the OIC said in a statement.

Ihsanoglu praised Malaysia for playing a key role in the peace talks between the Philippines and the MILF.

Malaysia has been brokering the peace negotiations, but had already pulled out most of its truce observers deployed in Mindanao after accusing Manila of delaying the talks, although Kuala Lumpur extended the stay of a small team for the next three months to bring together the peace process.

Ihsanoglu said the OIC and other countries are supporting efforts to preserve peace and restore calm and stability in southern Philippines.

He stressed that the Manila and the MILF would work out a swift settlement to the current crisis that threatens to thwart the peace process and for both sides to refrain from giving extremist elements the opportunity to dictate their own agenda or determine the course of events in Mindanao. (With reports from Mark Navales and Merlyn Manos)

OIC Steps In To Stop Fighting In Southern Philippines

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 27, 2008) – The influential Organization of the Islamic Conference on Wednesday appealed to Manila to halt military offensives against Muslim rebels in Mindanao as weeks of fighting had killed more than 100 people.

The fighting between government forces and Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels displaced more than 160,000 people and the exodus of civilians still continue in many areas in the troubled southern region.

Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the OIC Secretary General, has expressed his deep concern over the recent outbreak of hostilities that is threatening the seven-year old peace talks between Manila and the MILF.

Hundreds of MILF rebels under Ameril Kato and Abdurahman Macapaar launched a series of attacks after the aborted signing August 5 of the memorandum of agreement on the ancestral domain between by peace negotiators.

The Supreme Court temporarily stopped the signing of the deal after some mostly Christian lawmakers and politicians opposed to the deal filed separate petitions.

The accord would have granted Muslims their own homeland in more than 700 villages across Mindanao. But the controversial agreement sparked a series of protests from residents opposed to the inclusion of their areas to the ancestral domain that will make up the so-called Bangsamoro Juridical Entity.

Ihsanoglu condemned the rebel attacks against innocent civilians, calling it illegitimate acts conducted by wayward elements affiliated with the MILF, which refused to abide to repeated appeals by the group’s leadership to maintain calm, peace and restraint in Mindanao.

Manila has demanded the MILF to surrender Kato and Macapaar and also offered P10 million rewards for their capture. The government also said it will suspend the signing of the ancestral domain agreement until the two rogue leaders are captured.

But Ihsanoglu expressed concern over the reports that the Arroyo government intends to freeze the memorandum agreement on the ancestral domain, which he said came about as a result of strenuous, long and sincere efforts by peace negotiators.

He said it is unfortunate to let undisciplined elements from the MILF determine the course of negotiations or halt the peace process.

”The Secretary General urged the parties to the conflict to rapidly return to the negotiating table and continue working together in the same positive spirit that led to the conclusion of the agreement.”

“The parties need to preserve and build upon the accomplishments so far achieved in a bid to reach the just and durable peace desired by all,” the OIC said in a statement released on Wednesday.

Ihsanoglu praised Malaysia for playing a key role in the peace talks between the Philippines and the MILF. Malaysia has been brokering the peace negotiations, but had already pulled out its truce observers deployed in Mindanao after accusing Manila of delaying the talks.

He said the OIC and other countries are supporting efforts to preserve peace and restore calm and stability in southern Philippines.

He stressed that the Manila and the MILF would work out a swift settlement to the current crisis that threatens to thwart the peace process and for both sides to refrain from giving extremist elements the opportunity to dictate their own agenda or determine the course of events in Mindanao.

On Wednesday, former rebel group, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), also urged President Gloria Arroyo to pursue the peace talks with the MILF and end the hostilities in Mindanao.

"We urge President Arroyo and the MILF to resume the peace talks and put an end to the fighting in Mindanao," Sema, also the mayor of Cotabato City, told the Mindanao Examiner.

Arroyo has bared a shift in the basic premise of the government's peace efforts from talking with the armed groups to holding discussions with the communities in the conflict areas.

“The focus of our talks shall shift from the armed groups to the communities. The parameters governing our negotiations shall be a balance between the constitutionality and public sentiment,” she said, adding the government must maintain a peaceful and orderly society.

Arroyo said the change in the government's approach to end the Mindanao conflict prompted by the atrocities committed by the MILF attacks in Mindanao.

Hermogenes Esperon, Arroyo's peace adviser, said despite the attacks, the government will still pursue the peace talks with the MILF. "In spite of all that is happening (in Mindanao), we remain focused on our goals and that is to achieve lasting peace in Mindanao," he said.

Esperon also said the ancestral domain deal is not self-executing and that that there is a need for future discussions as peace negotiators frame the comprehensive peace agreement.

"The MOA (memorandum of agreement) on the ancestral domain should not be viewed as an end in itself, but rather a tool to reinforce agreement on the principles, and a roadmap for greater self-governance of the Bangsamoro people," he said.

Esperon said there is need to amend the Constitution to allow referendum on areas under the ancestral domain.

But Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita on Wednesday was quoted by the Philippine media as saying the military offensive against Kato and Macapaar’s groups will continue in Mindanao even during Ramadan, Islam’s holiest month beginning next week.

The MILF has repeatedly said that it is not covered by Philippine laws and will not surrender Kato and Macapaar.

The MILF, then under Salamat Hashim, broke away with the MNLF in 1977 and has fought the government for the establishment of a separate Muslim homeland in the southern Philippines. Hashim died of a heart attack in 2003 and Murad Ebrahim, then the MILF military chief, had been appointed to take over as the new chieftain of the rebel group. (Mindanao Examiner)

Special Report: Nur Misuari, Muslimin Sema And The Future Of The MNLF

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 28, 2008) – Freed former Moro National Liberation Front chieftain Nur Misuari will begin touring Muslim communities in the Philippines to campaign for peace.

His followers in Sulu province said they will prepare a big welcome party for Misuari, who is accused of rebellion after his forces attacked a major military base in Jolo town in 2001 in an effort to stop the elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, to which he was governor.

“We are waiting for our one and only leader and we will give him a big welcome in Sulu,” Abdul Sahalul, one of Misuari’s loyal followers in Sulu, told the Mindanao Examiner.

Misuari’s other leaders here, among them Ustadz Habier Malik, are still in hiding after they clashed with security forces last year and held hostage a group of military officers in a failed effort to pressure Manila to free Misuari.

Misuari was granted a P50,000 bail by a court last week after spending more than five years under house arrest in Manila. He said he would not run for governor again in the autonomous region, whose system he branded as “dirty” and ran by Malacañang.

“I don’t want to be part of a system which is dirty,” said Misuari, who also ran as governor in Sulu province twice and but lost.

Misuari maintained the ARMM was created as part of a peace deal the MNLF with Manila in September 1996.

Zaldy Ampatuan, a former town mayor in Maguindanao province, is the current governor of the Muslim autonomous region after he won the polls against Parouk Hussin.

Hussin, a senior MNLF leader, was one of those that made up the so-called Council of 15 that deposed Misuari as chairman of the organization that was once the largest Muslim rebel group in the Philippines.

Ampatuan, as governor of the Muslim autonomous region, has introduced reforms and fought corruption in government. He also prioritized development projects in areas where there are MNLF communities in support to the peace agreement.

Just this month, the MNLF Central Committee named Muslimin Sema, the group’s Secretary General, as its new chairman, But Misuari did not recognize Sema as the legitimate ruler of the MNLF.

Misuari has been criticized for his tough stance and his refusal to abide by the MNLF decision that catapulted Sema into power. Sema, who originally belonged to the Council of 15, said Misuari should stop bickering and work for peace and unity in the southern Philippines.

“We should to put things in their order and work for lasting peace in the country. This is our direction now and we will make ourselves available to the government to achieve peace and unity and bring development to our people,” Sema said in a separate interview.

Sema also praised the current governor of the autonomous region because of his many accomplishments in the six provinces that comprise the ARMM – Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao, Maguindanao and Shariff Kabunsuan.

“Through these accomplishments, we can see his many achievements in the ARMM,” Sema said, referring to Ampatuan.

The MNLF, in a resolution, also criticized Misuari and branded him as a dictator and said he is no longer effective in running the group.

“We strive against the divisive dictatorial leadership, callousness and incorrigibility of Brother Nur Misuari that keep on weakening the MNLF and giving us the impediment to attain meaningful peace and development and against his disposition by repudiating senior MNLF members credibility and barring their participation in the tripartite meeting as members of the MNLF panel delegation because he enlisted non-MNLF members to replace them both in domestic and international forums,” it said.

The MNLF said Misuari appointed Yolanda Stern to represent him in meetings abroad instead of senior MNLF leaders. A streamer was also put up in Sulu saying: “Misuari has no right to send Yolanda, a Yahudi (Jew), to head the MNLF delegation to the last OIC summit meeting in Dakar, Senegal.”

Stern, head of an international foundation that helps the poor in the Philippines, said the sign is anti-female and an anti-Jewish remark directed at her name and husband, Dr. Tom Stern who is an American of Norwegian ancestry, but whose father was of Russian-Jewish heritage.

Misuari, as the official invitee to the Dakar summit of the Organization of Islamic Conference in March, was not allowed to go by the Philippine government for fear that he would never return. So he sent his emissaries, Ustadz Zain Jali and Abdul Muhaimin and Stern and her husband were the support team.

Stern said she is a senior adviser of the MNLF to the Americas. “My husband and I went as a support team because he speaks French and I know the Secretariat Staff. Dakar is a French speaking country.”

“I signed a memorandum of agreement with the MNLF in 1996 after the (signing of the) peace agreement (with the Philippine government). I will continue working with Chairman Nur Misuari towards peace for Mindanao until the leadership is determined by the Peoples Congress and not by underhanded treachery. Our foundation works hard to serve the people of the Philippines, especially Mindanao. I am a daughter of Mindanao, a free woman. Pity those who still resort to medieval thinking,” she said.

Aishah Fatima, of the MNLF, said Stern is not a member of the former rebel group and criticized her for underestimating the current leadership.

“That's reality and you had to accept it. Do not underestimate the new leadership now of the MNLF because without these leaders, Misuari is nothing and neither you have the right to scrutinize their decisions.”

“Misuari already made a big blunder by exchanging the struggle of the MNLF for a piece of paper where implementation never became a reality and where it only made rich foundations like yours, non-MNLF individuals who grab the opportunity of being close to Misuari and some government officials and NGOs,” she said.

Adler Heirman, a blogger who had followed Misuari’s political career, said the former rebel leader failed to bring unity to the MNLF.

“The problem with Nur Misuari is that he never values the efforts of those people who placed him to the top. The truth is, he is not the only founder of the MNLF, but just one of them and he now claims he’s the only founder of the MNLF. He should accept now that his excesses of dictatorial decisions and arrogance resulted to his situation now.”

“And Misuari’s allowing Yolanda (Stern) to represent the MNLF is a total betrayal of the noble cause of the MNLF. If we only follow Islamic way of punishing traitors of Jihad, what happened to Misuari now is not enough punishment for his treachery. Yolanda should call her boss the one perpetrating “underhanded treachery” not those leaders who were sincere in their Jihad Fi Sabillillah. Of course, you can’t understand this because you are not a Muslim and never became a Muslim,” he said.

The MNLF said Misuari is not interested in unity and neither is he interested in adopting a Charter (for the MNLF) that will govern the conduct and behavior of its members and set a clear direction to where the Front is heading.

“The worst thing that could happen to a ship full of passengers is to have a captain who is indifferent and hostile to them and does not have a compass by which to navigate the ship,” it said, adding, Misuari wanted a perpetual leadership with nothing to guide it and no one to question it.

Under the peace agreement, Manila would have to provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the south and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.

The 58-year old Sema has criticized Misuari for dragging the MNLF into disarray.

"Misuari wanted to bring down the MNLF with him and that's why we are all working hard to unify the MNLF and bring peace and development in Mindanao," he said.

Government peace adviser Jesus Dureza also welcomed Misuari’s temporary freedom. "We welcome the decision of the Makati Regional Trial Court allowing Chairman Nur Misuari to post bail. We hope that with his temporary liberty, Chairman Nur will continue to be an important player in the Mindanao peace process," Dureza said.

But Misuari’s fall had severely affected the MNLF which is now heavily divided and rift among its leaders is becoming more apparent. Misuari also supported President Gloria Arroyo's election bid and her allies in the Senate and Congress in 2004 in exchange for promises that he would be pardoned and freed.

Sema has vowed to "put into track the peace process with the government and make good the relations between the MNLF and government and convert it as vanguard of our people against exploitation and oppression and also as vanguard for good governance, transparency and accountability".

Sema said he intends to work further with local and international non-government organizations to bring peace and development in Muslim areas in Mindanao.

Sources close to Misuari previously said that he may be freed this year on condition that he will go to exile in Libya, which had previously supported the MNLF struggle for independence in the Philippines.

It was unknown whether Tripoli was aware or part of the plan, but Seif al-Islam, the son of the Libyan strongman Muammar al-Gaddafi and former Libyan ambassador to Manila, Salem Adam, were in Manila last year and met with government and MNLF leaders and discussed about Misuari’s case.

Seif’s Gaddafi Foundation said it would invite Misuari to a series of meeting in Libya next month to discuss the peace agreement it signed with Manila.

Under the peace agreement, Manila would have to provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the south and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.

The 58-year old Sema has criticized Misuari for dragging the MNLF into disarray. "Misuari wanted to bring down the MNLF with him and that's why we are all working hard to unify the MNLF and bring peace and development in Mindanao," he said.

The Organization of Islamic Conference is worried that the MNLF under Sema would further fragment the group and set back the efforts of the peace accord. The MNLF is a permanent observer to OIC. Misuari has repeatedly announced that the peace deal the MNLF signed with the Filipino government is long dead and buried and that he named himself as President of the Bangsamoro Republik. (Mindanao Examiner)

Rift Between Military And MNLF Worsens In Jolo Island

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 06 Feb) – Philippine soldiers warned Muslim rebels who held hostage senior Philippine defense officials and soldiers in Jolo island to stay inside their camps or risk being shot if caught carrying illegal weapons in public places.

“The MNLF rebels should stay inside their camps. If we see armed men outside these camps, then we will engage them,” said Brig. Gen. Juancho Sabban, commander of the 3rd Marine Brigade on Jolo island.

A faction of MNLF rebels under Habier Malik and Khaid Ajibun held Friday a government peace mission composed of Maj. Gen. Mohamad Dolorfino, of the Philippine Marines; Colonels Davy Ramon and Cipriano Bayan (earlier identified as Sibayan), of the Philippine Army; Defense Under Secretary Ramon Santos and 21 soldiers and staff of Presidential peace adviser, Jesus Dureza.

The rebels signed a peace agreement with Manila in September 1996, but the government allowed them to keep their huge inventory of high-power weapons, mostly automatic rifles, anti-tank rockets and machine guns. They later accused the Arroyo government of failing to comply with the accord.

Dolorfino’s group was seized after reports of a scheduled tripartite meeting between the MNLF, the Organization of Islamic Conference and the Philippines on Feb. 6-8 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia had been shelved off by the Arroyo government.

The hostages were freed on Sunday after Manila has agreed to proceed with the conference next month. The OIC, which brokered the peace talks, organized the tripartite meeting to discuss the full implementation of the agreement.

The gunmen earlier demanded Manila to free detained rebel chieftain Nur Misuari, who is facing rebellion charges in Manila, so he can lead the MNLF to the tripartite conference.

Dureza said relations between Manila and the MNLF had been damaged following the detention by rebels of senior military and defense officials in Jolo. Dureza said Malik’s group may face charges for seizing the peace mission.

Malik insisted that Dolorfino’s group was not only invited to stay longer inside the rebel base in Bitan-ag village in Panamao town to further negotiate the holding of the tripartite conference.

“We merely invited General Dolorfino’s group to stay longer until we agreed on the resumption of the tripartite meeting. And if Dureza wants to file charges against us, then that’s fine with me. No problems with us even if he files 100 charges.”

“We did nothing wrong, so why blame us. If there is somebody to blame, then it should be the military because they intruded inside our areas and massacred innocent Muslims,” Malik told a Manila-based radio network dzRH on Tuesday.

He said marine soldiers killed 10 MNLF members, including a boy, on Jolo island during a firefight last month with Abu Sayyaf militants. Three soldiers were also killed in the clash.

Sabban said those killed were Abu Sayyaf militants, whose group is tied to al-Qaeda terror network.

MNLF forces retaliated the slaying of its members days later and ambushed an army convoy, killing ten soldiers. Six rebels had been arrested, but local government officials with links to the MNLF, interceded for their release and freed them.

Police and military later said it had no evidence to link the six rebels to the ambush.

Malik said Dureza’s group paid blood money to the families of the slain rebels and returned their weapons seized by troops as part of a deal before the MNLF freed the hostages. “They paid us blood money and returned our weapons,” Malik said.

Dureza confirmed that blood money was paid, but did not say how much. Other reports said as much as P450,000 had been paid to the MNLF.

Malik said the tripartite meeting should be held inside the MNLF base in Jolo island instead of Saudi Arabia and invite representatives from the OIC and the Philippine government and for Manila to free Misuari to allow him to attend the conference.

Egyptian Sayed El-Masry, who is adviser to OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, visited Jolo island in May last year. Masry said the Philippines and MNLF leaders must sit together and discuss the problems affecting the implementation of the peace accord.

The OIC also wanted Misuari freed from jail to head the MNLF delegation to Saudi Arabia for the tripartite meeting. He said the tripartite meeting is important to finally settle the problems.

Malik said only Misuari can represent the MNLF. “He is our leader and must be freed so he can lead the MNLF in the tripartite conference in the MNLF camp in Bitan-ag,” he said.

He said only if Manila is sincere in implementing the 11-year old peace accord with the MNLF the problems of insurgency and terrorism in Jolo island would be finally resolved.

After the peace agreement was signed, Nur Misuari, chieftain of the MNLF, became the governor of the Muslim autonomous region. But despite the agreement, there was a widespread disillusionment with the weak autonomy they were granted.Under the peace agreement, Manila would provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the south and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.

Many former guerrillas were disgruntled with the peace deal, saying, the Arroyo government failed to comply with some of its provisions and uplift their standards of living. They accused Manila of failing to develop the war-torn areas in the south.

And in November 2001, on the eve of the elections in the Muslim autonomous region, Misuari accused the government of reneging on the peace agreement, and launched a new rebellion in Jolo island and Zamboanga City, where more than 100 people were killed. Misuari then escaped by boat to Malaysia, but had been arrested and deported to the Philippines.

Dureza said the good relationship between the Philippine government and the MNLF was affected by the incident. He said the government would take precaution in dealing with the rebels in the future.

"This (hostage-taking) is a setback to their jobs in ensuring that what were agreed upon in the 1996 peace agreement were carried out accordingly,” Dureza said. "It was realistically eroded, not shattered. It would take a lot of work to bring back (that trust and confidence between us and the MNLF) to where it was."

Santos said he was willing to go back to the island and continue the government’s peace efforts with the rebels. “I am willing to return to Jolo, so we can continue what we have started,” he said. "In fact, we will use the opportunity to upgrade our work in Sulu. We will not be deterred; this will not lessen our determination. In fact, we will use this as an impetus to work more, to do a better job." (Mindanao Examiner)

Jolo Hostage Crisis Adds Crack On Already Damaged GRP-MNLF Peace Deal

MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / 05 Feb) – A senior adviser of Philippine President Gloria Arroyo on Monday admitted relations between Manila and the Moro National Liberation (MNLF) had been damaged following 3 days of detention of senior military and defense officials by rebels in Jolo island.

A faction of MNLF rebels under Habier Malik and Khaid Ajibun held Friday Major General Mohamad Dolorfino, of the Philippine Marines; Colonels Davy Ramon and Cipriano Bayan (earlier identified as Sibayan), of the Philippine Army; Defense Under Secretary Ramon Santos and 21 soldiers and staff of Presidential peace adviser, Jesus Dureza.

The rebels, who signed a peace agreement with Manila in September 1996, have previously accused the Arroyo government of failing to comply with the accord.

Dolorfino’s group was seized after reports of a scheduled tripartite meeting between the MNLF, the Organization of Islamic Conference and the Philippines on Feb. 6-8 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia had been shelved off by the Arroyo government.

The hostages were freed on Sunday after Manila has agreed to proceed with the OIC-led conference next month. The OIC, which brokered the peace talks, organized the tripartite meeting to discuss the full implementation of the agreement.

The gunmen earlier demanded Manila to free detained rebel chieftain Nur Misuari, who is facing rebellion charges in Manila, so he can lead the MNLF to the tripartite conference.

“How can the tripartite meeting proceed without our leader, Nur Misuari? Our leader must be present during the meeting,” Malik said.

But it was unknown if Manila would allow Misuari to Saudi Arabia to lead the MNLF in the meeting. Government officials fear that Misuari may escape while in Saudi or never return and seek political asylum with Arab countries sympathetic to his cause of putting up a strict Islamic state in Mindanao.

MNLF secretary general Muslimin Sema, also mayor of Cotabato City, said the incident in Jolo was not sanctioned by the group’s central committee. “It was a unilateral decision on the part of Malik. We were not even informed about his plan,” he told the Mindanao Examiner.
"This (hostage-taking) is a setback to their jobs in ensuring that what were agreed upon in the 1996 peace agreement were carried out accordingly," Dureza said in a televised news conference in Manila.

“Asked them if they are willing to go back. To be honest, do you think we will send them back tomorrow? Even if we want to, their parents loved ones, family members would not allow them to do that. The level of confidence has been eroded,” he said.

Dureza said the good relationship between the Philippine government and the MNLF was affected by the incident. He said the government would take precaution in dealing with the rebels in the future.

"It was realistically eroded, not shattered. It would take a lot of work to bring back (that trust and confidence between us and the MNLF) to where it was," he said.

Santos said he was willing to go back to the island and continue the government’s peace efforts with the rebels. “I am willing to return to Jolo, so we can continue what we have started,” he said.

"In fact, we will use the opportunity to upgrade our work in Sulu. We will not be deterred; this will not lessen our determination. In fact, we will use this as an impetus to work more, to do a better job," he said.

After the peace agreement was signed, Nur Misuari, chieftain of the MNLF, became the governor of the Muslim autonomous region. Despite the accord, there was a widespread disillusionment with the weak autonomy they were granted.

Under the peace agreement, Manila would provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the south and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.

Many former guerrillas were disgruntled with the peace deal, saying, the Arroyo government failed to comply with some of its provisions and uplift their standards of living.

They accused Manila of failing to develop the war-torn areas in the south.

And in November 2001, on the eve of the elections in the Muslim autonomous region, Misuari accused the government of reneging on the peace agreement, and launched a new rebellion in Jolo island and Zamboanga City, where more than 100 people were killed. Misuari then escaped by boat to Malaysia, but had been arrested and deported to the Philippines.

The OIC also wanted Misuari freed from jail to head the MNLF delegation to Saudi Arabia for the tripartite meeting. Egyptian Sayed El-Masry, who is adviser to OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, visited Jolo island in May last year.

Masry said the Philippines and MNLF leaders must sit together and discuss the problems affecting the implementation of the peace accord. He said the tripartite meeting is important to finally settle the problems. (Mindanao Examiner)

OIC Statement After Delegation Visited Philippines In May 2006 To Ensure Implementation Of 1996 MNLF Peace Agreement

The Mindanao Examiner is republishing this statement released by the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) after a delegation met with leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Jolo island and Mindanao in May 2006, who accused the Philippine government of reneging on the 1996 Peace Agreement.

Hundreds of disgruntled MNLF rebels are now holding a group of senior Philippine defense officials in Jolo island because of the government's failure to honor the 11-year old peace deal.



"The Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, has dispatched a fact-finding mission to the Republic of the Philippines, headed by Ambassador Sayed Kasim El Masri, Adviser to the Secretary-General, to mark the tenth anniversary of the conclusion of the Peace Agreement between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

This mission comes after this agreement has become dysfunctional, leading to increased tension in the region and to the outbreak of fighting in various areas in the province, particularly in the Sulu Island, southern Philippines. This tension has been caused by the arrest of the MNLF President, Prof. Nur Misuari, who became governor of the province after the conclusion of the Peace Agreement in 1996.

The mission visited Mindanao, southern Philippines, where the Government of the Philippines has declared a six-day ceasefire in order to enable the mission to complete its field visits. After negotiations with the parties concerned, the fact finding mission has succeeded in obtaining the approval of the Government of the Philippines and the MNLF fighters to extend the ceasefire in Mindanao sine die.

The fact finding mission has requested the convening in Jeddah of a tripartite meeting of the representatives of the Government, the MNLF and the OIC in order to examine the reasons why the Peace Agreement is not fully implemented, and to find ways and means to remove the obstacles to the completion of the implementation process.

The mission also demanded the release of the MNLF leader, Prof. Nur Misuari, in order to allow him to attend the meeting proposed to be held at the OIC Headquarters next July.

At the end of the visit, the President of the Republic of the Philippines, Mrs. Gloria Arroyo, will meet the head of the mission and his accompanying delegation, together with the Ambassadors of OIC Member States who are members of the Committee of the Eight, entrusted with following up on the question of Muslims in Southern Philippines.

The Committee is composed of Saudi Arabia, Libya, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Brunei Darussalam. The MNLF has been fighting for the past fifty years for the right to self determination for the Muslims of Mindanao in Southern Philippines.

Mindanao was an independent Islamic Sultanate, known as the Sultanate of Sulu before the Spanish invasion of the region five centuries ago. Since 1973, the OIC started to provide assistance to the Muslims of the Philippines and to dispatch fact-finding missions.

The Organization also launched an appeal to the Government of the Philippines for negotiation within the national sovereignty in order to reach a political solution that responds justly and fairly to the demands of the Muslims in the Philippines.

On 23 September 1976, the negotiations held in Jeddah and Tripoli, Libya, resulted in an agreement by which the MNLF renounced to its demand of full independence in return for self-rule in 13 regions and 9 cities in Southern Philippines. The implementation of this agreement, however, faced numerous obstacles; fighting broke out again until serious negotiations were launched in the early 1990s under the aegis of the OIC.

The Final Peace Agreement was signed on 2 September 1996 for the implementation of the Tripoli Agreement.Almost ten years have elapsed since the conclusion of the final agreement without reaching the aspired peace. This has pushed the OIC to re-establish contacts with the parties concerned in order to reach a formula that would ensure the full implementation of the provisions of this agreement."

Jeddah : 22 May 2006