Maguindanao gov't to renew commitment to Mindanao peace process

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines - Officials are expected to renew their commitment to the Mindanao peace process during Sunday’s commemoration of the 42nd anniversary of Maguindanao province, a bastion of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Only the governor of Maguindanao, Esmael Mangudadatu, from among five provincial governors in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), is overtly expressive of his support to the ongoing diplomatic overture of President Benigno Aquino III with the MILF.

The special guest to Sunday’s program proper of the 42nd founding anniversary of Maguindanao, to be held in Buluan town, is ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, also a staunch supporter of the Mindanao peace process.

Mangudadatu told The STAR on Saturday he is grateful to his subordinate-employees in the provincial government for their hands-on participation in overseeing various sports and cultural activities, including talent competitions involving senior citizens and people with disabilities, as part of the week-long anniversary events.

“All of these activities were intended to foster camaraderie among my Muslim, Christian and Lumad constituents,” Mangudadatu said.

Mangudadatu said he will appeal on Sunday to Maguindanao’s culturally and spiritually-diverse folks to continue helping foster peace and sustainable development in the province.

“There is fragile peace now in the province. Investors from abroad have lately been coming in to put up agricultural ventures. Foreign and international benefactors are also busy now with humanitarian projects in the province. Let us help sustain the momentum of these developments,” Mangudadatu said.

Mangudadatu is seeking a third term under the banner of the administration’s Liberal Party, where Hataman belong.

Hataman is also seeking reelection as Malacañang’s anointed bet for the ARMM’s gubernatorial post.

Mangudadatu and Hataman are complementing each other’s candidacy through joint peace and development initiatives meant to sustain the fragile peace now in Maguindanao, a component province of ARMM.

Lynette Estandarte, provincial chief budget officer, said credit also has to go to the local government units, the police and the Army’s 601st Brigade and the 6th Infantry Division for helping push their diversified anniversary activities forward.

Estandarte’s office and the provincial emergency response group had earlier provided free medical and dental services to more than 10,000 poor Maguindanao residents in a series of prior humanitarian missions related to the November 14 to 22 celebration of the 42nd founding anniversary of the province.