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Tuesday, January 24, 2006
We're committed to peace: MILF tells EU
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Monday assured the European Union that it is committed to sign a peace deal with the Filipino government and end more than three decades of bloody fighting in the southern Philippines.
Muhammad Ameen, secretary of the MILF central committee, said his group is optimistic to finally seal a deal that is just, lasting, and comprehensive to address the root cause of the conflict in Mindanao.
"We are really optimistic and we hope both the MILF and the Philippines will be able to sign a peace agreement soon," he said after a group of European Union ambassadors led by Jan De Kok inspected EU-funded projects in areas in the Muslim autonomous region last week.
The MILF has repeatedly appealed for aid from donor countries to help develop war-torn areas and provide basic health services to Muslims in Mindanao.
MILF leaders met with De Kok's group and helped facilitate their trip to areas where the rebels are actively operating.
The EU is strongly supporting the peace talks and wants to see an end to the conflict in the strife-torn region so it could provide more aid to help develop Mindanao. Austrian Ambassador to Manila Herbert Jager said Mindanao's full economic growth could only be achieved if lasting peace reigns in the region.
"We are looking forward to strengthen our relationship with the people in Mindanao, as we want to show collective support and enhance our partnership," Jager said.
Most of EU projects in Mindanao are aimed at helping war refugees or internally displaced persons to strengthen their capacities and communities and promote a culture of peace. It has a total budget of 3 million euros.
De Kok said the EU also approved a 33 million euros (about P2.08 billion) under the Health Sector Policy Support Programme (HSPSP) in support of the Arroyo government's health sector reform programs in Mindanao.
"The MILF is sincere and we want to end the hostilities in Mindanao just like everybody else so we can live peacefully and work together with the Philippine government to rehabilitate and develop this beautiful and promising land," said Eid Kabalu, a spokesman for the rebel group.
Kabalu also appealed for more international aid for Mindanao ahead of the resumption of peace talks in Malaysia, which is brokering the negotiations. "We need more aid and development assistance for Mindanao and its poor people. We are working hard to attain peace, please help us realize this dream," he said.
Manila opened peace talks with the MILF, the country's largest Muslim separatist rebel group, in an effort to end hostilities in the region. (Al Jacinto of Sun.Star Zamboanga/Sunnex)
(January 24, 2006 issue)
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