Arroyo urges southern Philippines to give Muslim self-rule a chance
Arroyo urges southern Philippines to give Muslim self-rule a chance
COTABATO, Philippines (Agencies): President Gloria Arroyo, in the southern Philippines ahead of a crucial plebiscite, urged voters Monday to give Muslim self-rule a chance amid strong opposition from Christian areas.
"Let us resolve to forge unity out of our diversity, to make ourselves complete and united despite differences in faith and culture," Arroyo said in a speech to local officials during a brief visit.
"Let us help turn the ARMM plebiscite into a day of reconciliation and brotherhood for Philippine Muslims and Christians."
However, Philippine local officials on Monday in Manila predicted a massive "no" vote for the expansion of a four- province autonomous Muslim region in the south, where President Arroyo visited on the eve of the crucial plebiscite.
Even Arroyo concedes the proposal is sure to lose in key areas like Zamboanga city.
Local officials in the mainly Christian provinces are campaigning for a massive "no" vote.
"We do not want to experience the hardship of our Muslim brothers in the ARMM," said North Cotabato provincial governor Emmanuel Pinol.
Pax Mangudadato, the Muslim governor of the multisectarian Sultan Kudarat province, is adopting a similar stance.
"We are better off today. Why should we join ARMM?" he said. "It would be like bashing our own head with a rock."
Even ex-rebel leader Nur Misuari, the region's governor, has slammed the plebiscite as an "exercise in futility" and is calling on Muslims to join a boycott.
"The outcome will not be binding on us," he warned.
Misuari insists that the plebiscite violates the peace pact between Manila and the MNLF, which he claims provides for the automatic expansion of the coverage of the ARMM after a transition period.
The four provinces of the ARMM account for 4 percent of the Philippines' total land area. But the area is predominantly poor and contributes just 0.9 percent of the country's gross domestic product, according to official figures.
It was set up following a 1989 plebiscite and its creation helped convince the MNLF to sign a peace treaty with Manila in 1996 ending a separatist guerrilla campaign begun in 1971. The MILF broke away from the MNLF in 1978.
More than 4.9 million Filipinos from 15 provinces and 14 cities, including the western province of Palawan and its capital city of Puerto Princesa, are eligible to vote on whether they want their province or city to join the ARMM.