UN and Philippines to help Moslem rebels
UN and Philippines to help Moslem rebels
Manila (DPA): The United Nations, the Philippine government
and the Southern Philippines Council for Peace and Development
(SPCPD) announced yesterday a program aimed at providing
financial assistance and training for members of a former Moslem
rebel group.
UN Resident Coordinator Sarah Timpson, Socio-Economic Planning
secretary Cielito Habito and SPCPD executive director Muslimen
Sema -- a former top rebel -- launched the special program for
former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) guerrillas at a
ceremony in Manila.
The program's goal is to prepare the former rebels to re-enter
civilian life and to create opportunities for them in the
southern Mindanao region, where most of the country's Islamic
minority live.
Timpson noted that the program was launched to assure the
former Moslem rebels and their families that the government and
outside organizations were going to help them rebuild their lives
after the MNLF and the government signed a peace agreement last
year.
"It is a response to the rising sense of frustration and
discontent felt by MNLF forces, families and communities in the
face of unmet expectations," Timpson said.
Habito and Sema noted that, while some 7,500 MNLF guerrillas
are to be integrated into the Philippine military and the
national police, at least 20,000 more -- coming in after years of
hiding in Mindanao's mountains and jungles -- have no money or
skills.
"They have nothing in their hands but their guns," said Sema,
also the MNLF secretary-general, adding that without outside
assistance the former rebels would be forced to return to armed
rebellion.
Habito said the group implementing the program would first
assess the needs of people in areas formerly torn by years of
combat between MNLF guerrillas and government troops while
providing a pilot assistance package to meet their basic daily
needs.
After determining how best to aid the ex-rebels and the
communities they are rejoining, the team overseeing the project
is to map out a livelihood and job creation program with funding
and support from Manila, the UN and other outside donors.
Habito noted that several governments which already give the
Philippines development assistance have said they plan to help to
ensure that peace takes hold in Mindanao.
"Our Moslem brothers, the MNLF people, everybody, in fact, are
waiting to see that peace is their way out of poverty," Habito
said. "It is, however, our collective responsibility to make this
happen."
The project will initially be funded with US$500,000 from the
UN, which is later expected to provide another $500,000.
Although the MNLF has stopped fighting, the rival Moro Islamic
Liberation Front continues to battle government forces while it
engages in peace talks with Manila.