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Sunday, March 09, 2003
Minda execs back peace meet
MINDANAO officials were one in reiterating their desire for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing Mindanao conflict and for the resumption of peace talks between government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
In a security briefing initiated by the DILG-10 and the City Government at Pryce Plaza Hotel Friday Mayor Vicente Emano tendered anew his offer to host the peace initiative between government and rebel groups next week in the city.
The peace initiative is supposed to be held Friday but it was postponed when Interior and Local Government Secretary Joey Lina was unable to provide safety conduct passes for the rebels last Thursday.
The mayor later said Lina assured him that rebels will be provided safety passes. "It will definitely push through next week. But I still don't know what is the day," he said.
The peace initiative was initiated in the wake of the successive bombings and attacks on Napocor towers in Mindanao.
"War is not the solution. The conflict in Mindanao will never be solved by war. It will made the problem more serious," Emano told the audience of local government, police and military officials.
During the briefing Emano said cultural and religious differences have prevented Mindanao from providing the country's economic needs.
Losing face
The mayor said the people must set aside political and personal differences for the sake of peace in the Island.
In response Secretary Lina said the socio-economic and political realities in Mindanao cannot be discounted and thus the government is ready to do everything to help the Mindanaoans achieve peace.
"If we can get our acts together we can help and put to normal the places in Mindanao," he said.
Later Dr. Alan Ortiz, president of TransCo said the conflicts have resulted in the toppling of 25 of Napocor's 5,200 towers in Mindanao.
Ortiz then urged everybody that war should not be the answer to the conflict because it will also affect the country's assets like electricity.
"It gives life to us. Billions of money are spent to build a fragile highway and we can't protect it alone. We need your vigilance and support regardless of political and religious affiliation," he said.
These sentiments were shared by Fourth Infantry Division (4th ID) Chief Maj. Gen. Cristolito Balaoing who said the island would lose face to foreign investors.
"It will disrupt the business climate in Mindanao," he said.
Regional Peace Coordinating Council-10 Bukidnon governor Jose Maria Zubiri said the peace talks remain the solution to the problem. "Martial law is not even welcome," he said.
And for Lanao del Norte First Dist. Rep. Cirilo Badilles a resolution should be passed supporting the peace initiative of Mayor Emano.
Other officials like Impasug-ong, Bukidnon kagawad Paul Paraguya said finger pointing won't solve the problem.
"It is time for local government heads to lead the peace negotiation. We must be pro-active for a sustainable development," he said.
On the other hand Cagayan de Oro Rep. Constantino Jaraula and Lanao del Norte Rep. Abdullah Dimaporo believed war is not the long term solution to the conflict. RY
(March 8, 2003 issue)
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