Estrada visits Mindanao

Fri, 26 Feb 1999 | Source: AP

ISABELA, Philippines (AP): Philippine President Joseph Estrada called on Muslims and Christians on Thursday to work together for peace and development on the main southern island of Mindanao, wracked by a Muslim secessionist rebellion.

Estrada flew to the southern city to fulfill an election promise to develop the region and push peace negotiations with Muslim separatists. He said he wants to change Basilan "from a paradise lost to a paradise regained".

Hader Glang, spokesman for Basilan Gov. Wahab Akbar, said Estrada promised to provide 1.23 billion pesos (US$32 million) for irrigation, food security and road projects for the province.

Basilan is home to the extremist Abu Sayyaf group, whose leader was killed last year during a police assault on one of his mountain lairs.

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