The Mindanao Cross, a weekly Catholic newspaper in Cotabato City, quoted key MNLF officials in a report over the weekend as complaining that the administration of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Nur Misuari has only done the clearing of limited areas along the highway since 1999.
Misuari and his spokesman, ARMM information director Mahendra Madjilon, could not be reached for comment as of press time.
The "Council of 15," the MNLF’s new central leadership, is contemplating prodding President Arroyo to freeze funds earmarked for the road project pending an extensive evaluation by the Commission on Audit.
Documents obtained from the ARMM’s Department of Public Works and Highways in Zamboanga City showed that from Feb. 11, 1999 to July 9, 2001, the Department of Budget and Management has released some P400 million to bankroll the road project.
Sulu officials earlier had criticized the ARMM leadership for embarking on the road project which, they claimed, is not feasible because of its cost and the lack of technical capability of the regional government to implement it.