Peace advocates on Basilan mission

COTABATO CITY – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front yesterday said a group of 12 peace advocates from different countries will tour Basilan on a “peace mission” to study the situation of women and children affected by the July 10 hostilities between the Marines and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) guerillas in a secluded town in the island province.

Muhammad Ameen, chief of the MILF’s secretariat, said the mission, organized by the Southeast Asia Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (SAGPPAC) and the Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition, is also aimed to help prevent the escalation of hostilities in the province.

Ameen said, to barnstorm Basilan from Aug. 10 to 12, is comprised of a 12-member, all-women peace advocates from East Timor, Thailand, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and the Philippines.   “While in Basilan, the group will hold a dialogue with their counterparts in the local government units (in Basilan) and interview some military top officials there,” Ameen said.

Ameen said the team will also initiate dialogues with evacuees in Albarka, where tension has been high since the July 10 hostilities there, which left 14 Marines dead, 10 of them beheaded.

“The MILF will welcome this group with open arms,” Ameen was quoted as saying by the MILF’s news website, www.luwaran.com.             Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza, when asked for comment, said he is not aware yet of any special mission to Basilan of a group of foreign peace advocates.

“Surely, the organizers of that peace mission will coordinate with Malacañang, the Department of Foreign Affairs, other concerned agencies, including my office,” Dureza said.

Ameen urged the women’s group to find ways to coordinate their visit to the island province to all concerned parties, including the MILF leadership.