Security tightened at ARMM compound for Hussin installation

COTABATO CITY — The Army’s 6th Infantry Division tightened security at the 32-hectare government center here of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in preparation for tomorrow’s formal installation by Malacañang of governor-elect Parouk Hussin.

The region’s caretaker, Spea—ker Alvarez Isnaji, a follower of former Gov. Nur Misuari, however, is opposing Hussin’s assumption into office, insisting it is illegal since Hussin’s term has yet to start in September next year.

The Nov. 26 ARMM elections should have been held early September and the term of the new officials was supposed to start on the last day of the same month.

Isnaji’s camp argued that since the elections were held after the period stipulated in the amended ARMM charter, Republic Act 9054, Hussin’s term must start in September next year.

But Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Eduardo Ermita, in an interview with Catholic radio station dxMS, said Hussin’s assumption into office tomorrow does not violate any specific provision of the ARMM’s amended charter.

"It (the amended charter) does not mention anything that the new set of ARMM elected officials cannot immediately assume (office) after their proclamation by the poll body," Ermita said.

No violation

Sources from the ARMM’s Department of the Interior and Local Government said the takeover by Hussin and vice governor-elect Mahid Mutilan does not violate any provision of the Regional Local Government Code.

"These Misuari loyalists only want to hold on to power for as long as they can," said a Tausog directorate staffer of the ARMM government.

Another source, an executive staffer at the governor’s office, said the Department of Budget and Management must temporarily freeze funds for the maintenance and operating expenses of the regional government, fearing that Misuari’s loyal followers could draw huge cash advances.

A senior technical officer said they are convinced that outgoing officials are allegedly just awaiting funds for the November-December maintenance, operating and other expenses of the ARMM government "that is why they are holding on to their positions even if they know that Gov. Hussin will really assume his post anytime."

The funds may be released next week, the source said.

Army and police intelligence sources have confirmed that "someone from Malacañang" will install Hussin as the new ARMM governor either tomorrow or Wednesday in a simple ceremony at the regional government center here.

Hussin request

Maj. Julieto Ando, spokesman of the 6th ID, said their commander, Brig. Gen. Roy Kyamko, has complied with Hussin’s request to provide "maximum security" to ensure his safe assumption into office.

"Our role here is to act as peacekeepers because inside that 32-hectare ARMM compound are hundreds of government employees and billions of pesos worth of government-owned buildings and other property which we will never allow to be destroyed by recalcitrant groups," Ando said.

Peace advocate Fr. Eliseo Mercado Jr., chairman of the National Movement for Free Elections in the ARMM, urged outgoing regional officials to willingly relinquish their positions.

"In the first place, their term ended in September 1999 yet and they were allowed to stay and continue functioning only on holdover basis. Malacañang even extended their holdover term twice so they must allow the new set of officials to take over now," said Mercado, president of Notre Dame University, Central Mindanao’s biggest Catholic school.