Moslem seek pact with presidential hopefuls

Moslem seek pact with presidential hopefuls

MANILA (DPA): Leaders of the Philippines' violence-wracked Mindanao island challenged yesterday presidential hopefuls to "sign a covenant" promising greater representation of the Moslem region in the national government.

Nur Misuari, governor of the four-province autonomous region, expressed fears the main southern island may suffer again from neglect reminiscent of the years under the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, with no presidential candidate emerging so far from the Islamic stronghold.

With all hope lost for a constitutional change allowing President Fidel Ramos to seek a second six-year term, Misuari said the last resort "is to get direct commitments from the presidential candidates," currently numbering at least 13.

"We do not want to experience the same fate (as under Marcos) and we cannot ignore continuing discrimination," said Misuari, the former rebel chief elected governor last year after a landmark peace accord was signed between the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the government of President Fidel Ramos.

Tensions have escalated in the south following a suicide attack last week by two alleged Arab extremists on one of the military's biggest camps. The attackers, said to be from Saudi Arabia and Egypt, and three soldiers were killed.

Moslem secessionists and government peace negotiators lessened the strain during emergency talks this week after a buildup of troops around Camp Abubakar, the headquarters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The armed forces agreed to pull back the soldiers.

The MILF, the largest rebel force, has repeatedly accused the government of failing to improve quickly enough the lives of the 7-million-member Islamic minority as set out in the accord with the MNLF.

The group, however, contends the fragile peace talks started under Ramos will be in danger with a new president at the helm.

"Anyone wanting to run for the presidency should heed our clamor in Mindanao and include it in his or her agenda," said Prospero Amatong, governor of Davao del Norte province.

He praised Ramos for making peace with the MNLF and initiating the Southern Philippine Council for Peace and Development aimed at making economic strides.

Signing a pact "is our only assurance that we will get the same support from the next president," Amatong said.