Philippine Troops On Alert After High Court Blocks Signing Of Muslim Ancestral Domain

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 4, 2008) – Southern Philippine troops were told to stay alert for possible attacks by rebels following a decision by the Supreme Court on Monday to block the signing of the final draft agreement on the ancestral domain.

“We are monitoring the situation now,” Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, a regional army spokesman, told the Mindanao Examiner.

The High Court temporarily stopped the signing of the accord that would eventually grant Muslim a separate homeland in Mindanao. Zamboanga City Rep. Erico Fabian and other lawmakers filed the petition asking the Supreme Court to stop the signing.

The court issued the temporary restraining order a day before government peace negotiators are to sign the agreement with the MILF, which is fighting the past four decades for a separate Islamic state in the troubled South.

Ando said sporadic fighting between security and rebel forces in North Cotabato province the past days have forced many villagers to flee their homes.

North Cotabato is also included in the ancestral domain and so are other areas in Mindanao, including the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Zamboanga City.

Thousands of people in Zamboanga City led by Mayor Celso Lobregat rallied Monday against the inclusion of at least 8 villages in the proposed Muslim homeland. Lobregat said Muslims and Christians are living peacefully in Zamboanga City.

He said many Muslim village leaders are also opposing the inclusion of their communities to the ancestral domain.

Presidential peace adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said only predominantly Muslim island of Sacol, which is several nautical miles of Zamboanga City, is included in the ancestral domain and that a plebiscite on areas cover by the agreement would be held a year later after the formal signing of the accord.

North Cotabato Deputy Governor Emmanuel Pinol last week also petitioned the Supreme Court to stop the signing.

Philippine authorities have previously blamed the MILF for the spate of kidnappings and terrorism in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)

MILF Rebels Say TRO Is Temporary Set Back, Peace Talks Remain Top Agenda

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 4, 2008) – The Philippines’ largest Muslim rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front said Monday’s Supreme Court decision to stop the signing of draft agreement on the ancestral domain is a temporary set back, but it remains optimistic about the deal.

The High Court temporarily stopped the signing of the final draft accord that would grant Muslims a separate homeland in Mindanao.

“This is a temporary set back and the MILF leadership is yet to decide on what actions to take, but this issue is more between the Supreme Court and the Philippine government.”

“The MILF remains optimistic about the formal signing of the ancestral domain agreement between the government and our peace negotiators,” Kabalu told the Mindanao Examiner.

The court issued the temporary restraining order a day before government peace negotiators are to sign the agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is fighting the past four decades for a separate Islamic state in the troubled South.

Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat said he was told about the decision by Zamboanga City Rep. Erico Fabian, a political ally, who was one of several lawmakers that filed the petition. At least 8 Muslim villages her are included in the ancestral domain and Lobregat and his allies are fighting the attempts to dismember Zamboanga.

Lobregat said it was an en banc decision.

Fabian has confirmed the High Court’s order. “It is confirmed and I have informed the mayor about it,” he said. “We are very happy with the decision.”

North Cotabato Deputy Governor Emmanuel Pinol last week also petitioned the Supreme Court to stop the signing. Pinol is opposing the inclusion of several towns in the province in the ancestral domain which would make up a separate Muslim homeland under the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity. (Mindanao Examiner)

Philippines Supreme Court Stops Signing Of Islamic Homeland Deal

Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat speaks during a rally Monday, August 4, 2008. Lobregat says the Supreme Court issues temporary order to stop Tuesday signing of the final draft of the Muslim ancestral domain in Malaysia between Filipino government peace negotiators and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 4, 2008) – The Philippines Supreme Court temporarily stopped on Monday the signing of final draft accord of a separate Muslim homeland in Mindanao between Filipino and rebel peace negotiators.

The court issued the temporary restraining order a day before government peace negotiators are to sign the agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is fighting the past four decades for a separate Islamic state in the troubled South.

Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat said he was told about the decision by Zamboanga City Rep. Erico Fabian, a political ally, who was one of several lawmakers that filed the petition. At least 8 Muslim villages here are included in the ancestral domain and Lobregat and his allies are fighting the attempts to dismember Zamboanga.

Lobregat said it was an en banc decision.

Fabian has confirmed the High Court’s order. “It is confirmed and I have informed the mayor about it,” he said. “We are very happy with the decision.”

North Cotabato Deputy Governor Emmanuel Pinol last week also petitioned the Supreme Court to stop the signing. Pinol is opposing the inclusion of several towns in the province in the ancestral domain which would make up a separate Muslim homeland under the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity. (Mindanao Examiner)