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.