UN and Philippines to help Moslem rebels<\/p>\n
Manila (DPA): The United Nations, the Philippine government
\nand the Southern Philippines Council for Peace and Development
\n(SPCPD) announced yesterday a program aimed at providing
\nfinancial assistance and training for members of a former Moslem
\nrebel group.<\/p>\n
UN Resident Coordinator Sarah Timpson, Socio-Economic Planning
\nsecretary Cielito Habito and SPCPD executive director Muslimen
\nSema -- a former top rebel -- launched the special program for
\nformer Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) guerrillas at a
\nceremony in Manila.<\/p>\n
The program's goal is to prepare the former rebels to re-enter
\ncivilian life and to create opportunities for them in the
\nsouthern Mindanao region, where most of the country's Islamic
\nminority live.<\/p>\n
Timpson noted that the program was launched to assure the
\nformer Moslem rebels and their families that the government and
\noutside organizations were going to help them rebuild their lives
\nafter the MNLF and the government signed a peace agreement last
\nyear.<\/p>\n
"It is a response to the rising sense of frustration and
\ndiscontent felt by MNLF forces, families and communities in the
\nface of unmet expectations," Timpson said.<\/p>\n
Habito and Sema noted that, while some 7,500 MNLF guerrillas
\nare to be integrated into the Philippine military and the
\nnational police, at least 20,000 more -- coming in after years of
\nhiding in Mindanao's mountains and jungles -- have no money or
\nskills.<\/p>\n
"They have nothing in their hands but their guns," said Sema,
\nalso the MNLF secretary-general, adding that without outside
\nassistance the former rebels would be forced to return to armed
\nrebellion.<\/p>\n
Habito said the group implementing the program would first
\nassess the needs of people in areas formerly torn by years of
\ncombat between MNLF guerrillas and government troops while
\nproviding a pilot assistance package to meet their basic daily
\nneeds.<\/p>\n
After determining how best to aid the ex-rebels and the
\ncommunities they are rejoining, the team overseeing the project
\nis to map out a livelihood and job creation program with funding
\nand support from Manila, the UN and other outside donors.<\/p>\n
Habito noted that several governments which already give the
\nPhilippines development assistance have said they plan to help to
\nensure that peace takes hold in Mindanao.<\/p>\n
"Our Moslem brothers, the MNLF people, everybody, in fact, are
\nwaiting to see that peace is their way out of poverty," Habito
\nsaid. "It is, however, our collective responsibility to make this
\nhappen."<\/p>\n
The project will initially be funded with US$500,000 from the
\nUN, which is later expected to provide another $500,000.<\/p>\n
Although the MNLF has stopped fighting, the rival Moro Islamic
\nLiberation Front continues to battle government forces while it
\nengages in peace talks with Manila.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/un-and-philippines-to-help-moslem-rebels-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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