Saturday, December 08, 2007 Local execs honor ex-guv By Lizanilla J. Amarga
FOR once, local administration and opposition leaders are united in expressing their grief over the death of "peace advocate" former Lanao del Sur Governor Mahid Mutilan.
Secretary Jesus Dureza, presidential assistant to Mindanao and peace negotiator for the government in the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), outlined Mutilan's role in bringing peace to Mindanao.
Mutilan perished from a car accident on his way from Marawi City to Cagayan de Oro City Thursday morning. His body was immediately flown to his hometown by Dureza for a proper burial according to the Islam burial rites.
Meanwhile, two former Cagayan de Oro city mayors who have turned into political rivals -- Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and City Vice-Mayor Vicente Emano -- are one in grieving the death of Mutilan.
Pimentel expressed his grief for Mutilan's death and how Mindanao has lost a person who was dedicated to bring peace to this war-torn island.
He described Mutilan as a "deeply respected Muslim political and religious leader" who has a strong sense of peace and justice in his heart.
"With his death, the nation has lost an ally in the fight against Islamic jihadists. Mutilan is a moderate leader and a personal friend," Pimentel said in a statement to Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.
Pimentel said Mutilan has been very instrumental in bringing the message of peace to the Islamic communities here in Mindanao.
"My friend Mutilan once served as president of the Muslim ulama association and ran unsuccessfully for governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in the 2005 elections. His demise is a great loss for Mindanao," he said.
Emano for his part said the former governor also had helped him in making sure that Cagayan de Oro city remains peaceful through the years.
