Gov’ to continue socio-economic projects in MNLF strongholds

COTABATO CITY – Malacañang and the executive department of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will continue to implement socio-economic projects in the strongholds of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Sulu.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza, who is overseeing humanitarian programs involving former MNLF guerrillas, said last month’s holding "under duress" of his deputy, Ramon Santos, and Marine Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino for three days by Ustadz Habier Malik will not stifle ongoing projects for poor Sulu residents.

Dolorfino and Santos were visiting Malik’s camp in Panamao for a dialogue when the foreign-trained preacher, who has about a thousand armed followers, prevented them from leaving the camp to pressure the OIC to set a final date for a long overdue tripartite meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The MNLF, representatives of Malacañang, and officials of the OIC will discuss in a tripartite meeting, thrice cancelled since last year, the perceived kinks in the Sept. 2, 1996 truce between the front and the government.

Malik, known for his loyalty to jailed MNLF founding chairman Nur Misuari, only allowed Dolorfino and Santos to leave after the OIC set March 17 to 18 as the date for the Jeddah meeting.

"We will even intensify the government’s ongoing humanitarian projects in Sulu just to prove to the people that Malacañang is sincere and straightforward in handling the Mindanao peace process," Dureza said.

ARMM Gov. Datu Zaldy Ampatuan, chairman of the regional peace and order council, said they are complementing President Arroyo’s peace overture with Sulu residents through the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Social Fund Project (ASFP).

The ASFP, jointly bankrolled by the government, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, and the World Bank, has an ongoing strategic infrastructure project and community-based livelihood programs in poor Tausog communities in Sulu.

Ampatuan said his administration is keen on reaching out to the MNLF communities in Sulu to prove that the ARMM and Malacañang are cooperating in promoting peace and sustainable development in the island province.

Dureza said he has been communicating with key leaders of the MNLF to restore the cordiality between the front and Malacañang, following the incident at Malik’s lair, Camp Bitan-ag, some three kilometers away from the town proper of Panamao.