Press Release
April 25, 2007

PIMENTEL CALLS FOR GOVT-MNLF
PEACE DIALOGUE TO EASE TENSION IN SULU

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Nene" Q. Pimentel, Jr. (PDP-Laban) today urged the Arroyo government to work out with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) the holding of a tripartite meeting as soon as possible to review the implementation of the 1996 peace agreement.

Pimentel said that the review of the 11-year old peace accord by representatives of the government, MNLF and OIC will help stabilize the situation in Sulu and reassure the Muslim rebels of the sincerity of the government in addressing their grievances and in abiding by its commitments under the agreement.

In fact, he said the recent outbreak of clashes between MNLF fighters under Commander Ustadz Habier Malik and military troops in Panamao, Sulu could be traced to rebels' frustration over the perceived government apathy to the MNLF's complaints over the enforcement of the peace agreement.

"Perhaps, Malik and his men would not have attacked a military outpost in Panamao, triggering the hostilities, had the government heeded his earnest appeal for the tripartite review of the peace agreement in view of the MNLF's claim that the government has fallen short in complying with its commitments to improve the economic conditions of rebels who have returned to the folds of the law," Pimentel said.

The Mindanao legislator bewailed the government's reported refusal to accept an OIC proposal for an early review of the peace agreement. Worse, he said the government also turned down the OIC's urgent appeal for a ceasefire between the military and Malik's forces.

An immediate ceasefire, he said, should be enforced to prevent the peace and development process from being further undermined.

Moreover, he said the continued fighting has forced about 50,000 persons to abandon their homes and seek safety in government evacuation centers.

Pimentel recalled that the tripartite meeting was originally scheduled to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia last year but it was postponed for still unclear reasons.

He urged the government to weigh the repercussions of its rejection of the OIC's ceasefire call in terms of offending the organization that may cause a backlash in the relations between the Philippines and the influential organization, that is composed of 55 Muslim countries.

"The Arroyo government's repudiation of the OIC's peace initiatives will certainly not help the Philippines in its persistent bid to gain observer status in the organization," Pimentel said.

He warned that the Philippines cannot afford to see its relations with the OIC and its member-countries turn sour because they can get back on Philippines in many ways.

Pimentel said for instance that the Philippines may lose its advantage in getting its oil supply from Saudi Arabia, Libya and other oil-producing OIC member-countries if they feel offended by the Arroyo government's failure to respond positively to the OIC's suggestion for a ceasefire and resumption of peace dialogue.

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