D1The Manila Times

The Moro TimesFRIDAYFebruary 23, 2007

■ One World Institute Moro Arts CompetitionBY SAMIRA GUTOC

BARELY has all of over 7,000 evacuees of Midsayaptown in Cotabato Province gone back home when a

chain of displacement was again reported by the BantayCeasefire of the Mindanao People’s Caucus, this time,expanding to other towns of Cotabato and some munici-palities of Maguindanao.

Residents of towns in SharieffAguak, Kabacan and Pikit havebeen evacuated due to exchangeof fire between armed forces.

This aggravates the plight ofevacuees in Central Mindanaoreeling+from two all-out war poli-cies in 2000 and 2003, resulting ininternal displacement of 934,340people in 2000 and another411,000 in 2003, according toDSWD estimates.

The areas covered by the inves-tigating team of the BantayCeasefire are the towns ofMidsayap, Aleosan, Pikit,Kabacan and Carmen in CotabatoProvince, and, Gen. Salipada K.Pendatun, (GSKP) Pagalungan,Shariff Aguak and Mamasapano,all of Maguindanao province inthe Autonomous Region in Mus-lim Mindanao.

The Midsayap case had beencaused by skirmishes betweengovernment troopers and MoroIslamic Liberation Front guerril-las last month over land conflicts.But this time, the displacement isan offshoot of military pursuitoperation against 52 inmates ofthe Cotabato Provincial Jail whoescaped from prison last February2, 2007.

Evacuees interviewed narratedthat at around 5:00 in the morn-ing of February 9, 2007, govern-ment soldiers belonging to theArmy’s 75th Infantry Battalionswooped down BarangayPidtiguian passing through thevillage of Pembalayan in neigh-boring town of Lambayong inSultan Kudarat province.

The evacuees, who claimedthey were informed that the sol-diers were running after the jailbreakers from the Provincial Jailof Cotabato, said they had to va-cate their homes because theyfeared being caught in a cross-fire,though they said that there wasactually no armed encounter thathappened.

They also relayed having beeninformed by soldiers that the jailbreakers were allegedly beingcoddled by one CommanderRudy of the MILF who operatesand resides in the area.

As of February 16, 2007, not oneof the evacuees have returnedhome and served by relief goods.They said they were afraid to goback home because the soldiersreportedly told them they werecoming back anytime.

In Langayen, Pikit are 57 fami-lies, its members mostly childrenwho walked around three hoursall the way from Rangaban-2 andRangaban-3 in Midsayap to thehouse of Langayen Barangay

Councilor Datuan Jamali, who isa relative of most of the evacuee-families. They left their respectiveresidences on February 2, 2007 fol-lowing a military operationagainst suspected MILF rebelswho allegedly killed a militarydeep penetrating agent identifiedas Untong Abdul.

The evacuees are amongaround 30% of the residents ofRangaban who have yet to returnhome. They have not been servedby any relief organization as ofFebruary 15. Among their needsinclude food relief, kitchen uten-sils, plastic laminated sacks fortent and medicines for childrenand women sick of diarrhea,cough, colds fever and skin dis-ease.

Except for Rangaban, Mudsengand Tugal, where 30-40% of theirresidents are yet to go back to theirrespective homes, 90% of the resi-dents in all other barangays ofMidsayap have already gone backhome.

The Bantay Ceasefire recom-mended that local governmentunits ensure all barangays havetheir respective disaster manage-ment plans, especially in areasidentified as potential hotspots.The report also recommended thestrengthening of the Adhoc JointAction Group (AHJAG) mannedjointly by the MILF and AFP mili-tary units, an impartial investiga-tion by the Commission on Hu-man Rights on alleged humanrights violations, including al-leged torture, illegal arrest, and il-legal detention against suspectedrebel supporters. There were alsoreported cases of food blockadesthat also need to be investigated.

Since land disputes is a majorsource of conflict in all these cases,it is being recommended that thegovernment and the MILF hastentheir talks on the strand of ances-tral domain so they could imme-diately institutionalize a mecha-nism that would address land-re-lated conflicts.

In a related report, theBangsamoro DevelopmentAgency (BDA) in conducting re-habilitation of conflict-affectedcommunities said another twentybarangays is expected to benefitfrom the Mindanao Trust Fund-Reconstruction and DevelopmentProgramme (MTF-RDP) Phase Ithis year, which is supported by+AusAID, Canadian InternationalDevelopment Agency (CIDA),New Zealand’s International Aid& Development Agency(NZAID), World Bank (WB) andthe European Union.

BY HADER GLANG

ZAMBOANGA CITY: The Munici-pality of Lamitan in the Provinceof Basilan, once sieged by the ex-tremist Abu Sayyaf group, willsoon become city before the May14 elections.

This came as the Senate ap-proved on February 5, 2007the+cityhood of 12 towns in thecountry, including Lamitan andthree+other municipalities inMindanao.

House deputy speaker forMindanao Gerry Salapuddin,author of the cityhood ofLamitan,+said he is very confi-dent that President Arroyowould be able to sign the billsinto law before the May polls.

”It will be a blessing to thepeople of Lamitan and Basilan,generally. We have long wantedthis to happen,” saidSalapuddin, who is serving hisfinal term as congressman.

Salapuddin, who alsoauthored the cityhood of Isabelatown, is reportedly seeking forgubernatorial post in Basilanunder the ruling administrationLakas-Christian Muslim Demo-crats-Kampi coalition.

If signed into law, Lamitanwill be the newly created city inthe Autonomous Region inMuslim Mindanao (ARMM)and the second city in BasilanProvince+next to Isabela City.

But the country’s league ofcity mayors is questioning thelegality of the bills converting 12towns into cities. The league isalso petitioning the Comelecfrom holding plebiscites.

The 12 towns includeLamitan, Basilan; Batac, IlocosNorte; Baybay, Leyte; Bayugan,Agusan del Sur; Bogo, Cebu;Borongan, Eastern Samar;Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte;Carcar, Cebu; Catbalogan,Samar; Tabuk, Kalinga; Tandag,Surigao del Sur; and Tayabas,Quezon.

The city mayors believe thatthe cities’ share from the inter-nal revenue allotment (IRA)would get smaller if the govern-ment would allow the conver-sion of 12 unqualified towns.

See NEW CITY D3

BY SAMIRA GUTOC

THE anti-terror bill may havebeen passed but human rightsadvocates are concerned thatpolitically-motivated killingsmay not decline.

+To alleviate the suffering ofthe families of dead activistsand journalists,+ the United Na-tion Special Rapporteur on Ex-trajudicial, Summary or Arbi-trary Executions Prof. PhilipLaston came to Davao City onFebruary 18 to hear the testi-monies of victims of extra-ju-dicial+ deaths.

International concern overhuman rights violations in thePhilippines was raised+ withthe spate of++ political killingsin the past years. The Interna-tional Federation of Journal-ists tagged t he country as the“second most dangerouscountry for journalists”, witha record high of 7 journalistskilled in 2005,+ citing UNESCOstatistics.

BY REY TRILLANA+

A NEW internship program isset to open new horizons foryoung Muslims. The PhilippineCouncil for Islam and Democ-racy (PCID) and the PhilippineBusiness Leaders Forum (PBLF)will launch The Muslim YouthMentoring Program (MYMP) asa response to the need to provideMuslim youth with the skillsand network to succeed in busi-ness, thus contributing to theeconomic development of Phil-ippine Muslim communities.+Participating businesses willprovide Muslim interns with thenecessary experience in the cor-porate world and the trainingthey need to help them assumeleadership roles in the future.

The House of Representatives,through the efforts of SpeakerJose De Venecia, currently ad-ministers the Congressional In-ternship Program for YoungMuslim Leaders (CIPMYL). Ms.Amina Rasul, lead convenor ofPCID, noted the success ofCIPMYL but stressed that “we

To improve police service in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, PNP Police Director Oscar C. Calderon(3rd from right) turned over 11 brand new police cars and six motorcycles to Local Chief Executives and Chief ofPolice of some Local Government Units in the province of Lanao del Sur during his visit today at the Police RegionalOffice-ARMM, Camp SK, Parang, Shariff Kabunsuan. Witnessing the turned over ceremony is PNP-ARMM RegionalDirector Joel R. Goltiao (left), Asst. ARMM Cabinet Secretary Mr. Samson Gogo(2nd, left). PHOTO BY BPI-ARMM

■ all for keeping the peace

UN Rapporteur Meets HumanRights Groups in Mindanao

Mindanao ranked the mostnumber of deaths of journal-ists, with Sultan Kudarat-basededitor Hernani Pastolero as themost recent casualty.

“Prof. Alston’s visit to thePhilippines is a big boost to themorale of the victims of extra-judicial killings and their fami-lies,” said Amirah Ali Lidasan,vice-chairperson of the SuaraBangsamoro Partylist Organi-zation.

The Bangsamoro Lawyer’sNetwork reported cases inSulu, which included thePadiwan massacre inMaimbung in 2005; a man fromPatikul whose head washacked on Oct. 4, 2006 by theSpecial Forces of the PhilippineArmy ; 2 farmers killed by themilitary in Talipao, Sulu lastFeb. 12, 2007. On Feb. 19, a 14-year-old boy, Hakim abbilul,was shot in Kasambuhan,barangay tagbak, Indanan,Sulu, by a member of the+ ScoutRanger of the Philippine Army.

Relatives of the victims ofMoro inmates+ shot in CampBagong Diwa clashes with jailauthorities last March 15, 2005flew from Basilan to Davao tomeet Alston.

Mrs. Jumdatul Mundi’s son,Gaffar Mundi was one of the 23inmates killed in Camp BagongDiwa as a consequence of Gen-eral Angelo Reyes’ no negotia-tion policy in dealing with theAbu Sayyaf uprising in CampBagong Diwa.

“When the mother of GaffarMundi heard about the comingof Prof. Alston, it gave her hopethat Prof. Alston’s will be a bighelp in her pursuit of justicefor the death of her son,” saidLidasan saying that it tookMrs. Mundi four years to fightfor her son’s release fromCamp Bagung Diwa prisonand two year to seek justice forthe death of her son becauseof the jail clashes at CampBagong Diwa in 2005.

need more entrepreneurs, indus-trialists, and economic manag-ers”. She added that the Muslimyouth should be encouraged tojoin the private sector as this willallow them to help their home-land in terms of encouragingbusiness and spurring economicdevelopment.

This is especially significantin the face of stark economicand business realities inARMM. It has the highest pov-erty incidence in the countryat 54% and it is the only regionto register a negative growthrate (-0.5) in its per capita in-come from 1988-2003. Thebusiness situation is not en-couraging either. Based on the2003 Census of PhilippineBusiness and Industry (CPBI)conducted nationwide, of thetotal 20,554 establishmentswith an average of 20 or moreworkers in the country only 54are located in ARMM. The Na-tional Capital Regionexpectedly cornered the ma-jority of the businesses at9,427.

See UNDERWAY D3 See RIGHTS D3

See LAUNCH D3

Internship for youngMuslims set to launch

Evacuees in MaguindanaoRising: Reconstruction Underway

Lamitan inBasilan: anew city inARMM

First prize winner Rizal Alimuddin explains the historical background of his painting Battle in Bud Bagsak to Sen.Aquilino Pimentel. The competition issponsored by the One World Institute, a non-profit organization based in Califronia, USA. (See related story on page D3) PHOTO BY ROBERTA GONZALES

D2The Manila Times

FRIDAYFebruary 23, 2007The Moro Times

Fred de la RosaPublisher and Editor in Chief

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Dante Francis M. Ang IIPresident and CEO

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Amina RasulEditor

Samira Gutoc-TomawisManaging Editor

Nasser ShariefAriel Bacol

Editorial Team❋ ❋ ❋

Arnold B. MossChief CopyeditorBrian M. Afuang

Art Director

Telephone 524-5665 to 67Telefax 521-6897 • 521-6872

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URL http://www.manilatimes.netE-mail newsboy@manilatimes.net

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The Manila Times

The Moro Times

WHILE democracy cannotbe measured by elec-

tions alone, neither can it befully experienced withoutgiving elections central focus.One important way by whichda pipol exercise their powerin democratic regimes isthrough elections. In theory,elections give da pipol powerover those who will governthem. In theory, minoritycommunities can use thispower to push for increasedrepresentation in governmentor to influence policy direc-tions of candidates in returnfor votes. In theory.

The Muslims of the Philip-pines have long sufferedmarginalization in terms ofpolitical participation and re-gional economic growth. In2004 there were 1,057,458 reg-istered ARMM voters, repre-senting 2.43 percent of the to-tal voting population. Whowill speak for the Moros? WillSultan Jamalul Kiram dare tospeak about the worseningsituation of his people underthis administration? Or willhe follow the official partyline that this government hasbrought peace and prosper-ity? What is the Moro agenda?

The peace processThe recent detention of Gen.Benjamin Muhammad Do-lorfino and UndersecretaryRamon Santos highlights thefrustration of the Moro Na-tional Liberation Front withthe lack of implementation ofthe 1996 GRP-MNLF FinalPeace Agreement (FPA). Al-though the detention of thegovernment officials was agrievous offense which hasshaken the confidence ofmany in the MNLF, still wemust understand what forcedthe MNLF to act so rashly.

The laws creating and“strengthening” ARMM havenot improved the lives of itsconstituents. The defects ofR.A. 9054 (ARMM Act) mustbe examined and amended sothat the Organic Act actuallyconforms to the letter andspirit of the FPA. Most stake-holders, especially the MNLF,have complained about thedeficiencies of the OrganicAct. If these stakeholders areto fully subscribe to the 1996Peace Agreement, govern-ment must be willing to ex-amine and redress thosegrievances.

Continuing armed conflictsin Mindanao have resulted inthe displacement of hundredsof thousands. The displacedare not simply statistics orcollateral damage. They arefarmers, ordinary citizens,children. Before the conflicts,they had homes and lands totill. Now they are refugees.They require adequate protec-tion, financial and other re-sources to facilitate their re-turn or resettlement includingaccess to food, water andshelter, education, social andhealth services.

The peace process must besupported. The full potentialof Mindanao cannot be real-

ized if hostilities and securityrisks prevent private sector in-vestments in developing itsnatural resources, agriculture,manufacturing, trading, tour-ism and other sectors. Therecan be no real and lastingpeace with a military solution.

ATB and MindanaoThe antiterror bill (ATB), re-cently adopted by bothhouses of Congress, and thehuman-rights situation inMindanao must be weighedcarefully. At the heart of theobjections to the ATB is thefear that the ATB will openthe doors to further humanrights abuses. As it is, evenwithout the extensive powersit now seeks under the ATB,government’s anti-terrorismefforts have already causedmuch suffering within theMuslim community withdocumented cases of warrant-less searches and arrests, con-tinued detention without tri-als, and torture. By allowingwarrantless arrests for terror-ism (still undefined), the ATBwill only legit imize thatsource of fear.

What about coercing gov-ernment for “unlawful de-mand”? Is cal l ing for theouster of the President unlaw-ful? If so, can all oppositiongroups who have made thatcall be labeled as terroristsand therefore be placed undersurveillance, their phone callsbugged?

Since the ATB will mostlikely be ratified during thespecial session, the next Con-gress should seriously considerenacting a law that will grantenforcement and prosecutorialpowers to the Commission onHuman Rights, and supportthe creation of a CHR Office inthe ARMM.

Democratic governance,accountabilityDemocracy building is des-perately needed in ARMM.There can be no true au-tonomy if leaders are not ac-countable to their constitu-ents, if citizens have no con-fidence in their government.

Budgetary appropriationsremain a basic point of conten-tion. Hence, there is a need toreview budgetary appropria-tions for Mindanao based on itscontributions to the nationaleconomy. Adequate fundsmust be provided to allowARMM and the otherMindanao regions to catch upwith the rest of the country.With more and more foreignaid flowing into the region,there also should be a study onthe nature, impact and use ormisuse of foreign aid toMindanao. Development assis-tance needs to be more relevantto the needs of the citizens.

Mga kapatid, what is theMoro Agenda?

(Article taken from Durian.)

(Excerpts from the “Khutba” or ser-mon drafted by the ulama of the DarulIfta of Central and Western Mindanao,delivered during the Friday congrega-tional prayers)

ALL Praise is due to God. Anyone who is guided by Allah,

he is indeed guided; and anyonewho has been left astray, will findno one to guide him. I bear witnessthat there is no deity but Alláh, theOnly One without any partner;and I bear witness thatMuhammad is His servant, andHis Messenger.

My respected Brothers and Sis-ters in Islam,

The subject of my khutbah isabout where Islám stands in rela-tion to terrorism. Sadly, terrorismand Islam have become so closelyintertwined in most Westernthought in these days, and this didnot happen by accident. There aresome people with ill agenda, whoseek to discredit the good name ofIslam, and who consider Islam asthreat to their global ambitions.There are, sadly, also some mis-guided Muslims who are playingdirectly into their hands, by com-mitting acts of violence that are to-tally forbidden by the Holy Qur’ánand the prophetic Sunnah. As towhy they commit these acts of ter-ror, the reasons may be debated on,but never justified.

Chambers English Dictionarydefines terrorism as ‘the systematicuse of violence and intimidation toachieve some goal’. But in practice,the term is rarely used objectively.One man’s terrorist is usually an-other man’s freedom fighter.+AsMuslims, our only point of refer-ence is our Holy Qur ’án andSunnah. What does Islam sayabout terrorism?

Islam, is derived from the Ara-bic letters ‘seen’ ‘laam’ and ‘meem’which form the root word ‘salama’’meaning “Peace.” Islam thereforemeans the state of being at peace,or to bring into peace. Thus, thereis nothing in common between away of life that stands for peace,

harmony, order, justice and com-passion on the one hand, and actsof hatred, vengeance and evil onthe other. Indeed, Islam and terror-ism stand on opposite ends of themoral spectrum. In Islam, life is sosacred. It is a gift from God thatHe alone has the right to take itback. Murder and the killing ofinnocent civilians in warfare, isstrictly forbidden.

The Holy Qur’án says, “if any-one kills a+human being, unless itbe [in legal punishment] for mur-der or for spreading corruption onearth, it shall be as though that per-son had slain the whole of human-ity; whereas, if anyone saves a life,it shall be as though one had savedthe lives of all humanity”. (5:32)

One of the great moral debatesin history has been the question ofMeans and Ends. Does the End jus-tify the Means? Can one achievemoral ends by immoral means?Some people argue that the Endjustifies the Means. Islam is veryclear on this. One cannot achievehalaal ends by haraam means. Theends and the means have to inex-tricably integrated with each other.Only moral means can achievemoral ends. This was the way ofthe Prophets and of all God’s be-loved servants, throughout theages. However, much as we areprovoked, much as we might betempted to retaliate or to defendourselves with forbidden actions,we cannot do so. Terrorism isevil. Terrorism is indiscriminate.An act of terror does not distin-guish between combatant andcivilian, innocent or guilty. By itsvery nature it is an act of coward-ice. Islam does not promote orcondone cowardice.

In warfare, sometimes, innocentpeople may get caught in thecrossfire. Is this not just an un-avoidable part of conflict? For true

Who will speakfor the Moro?

The JihadistAmina Rasul

KHUTBAIslam: Peace is the Way, Terrorism No Way

lamic Terrorist” is a contradiction;a vulgar and mischievous travestyof language. Islam and terrorismshould not even sit in the same sen-tence together!

Respected brothers and sisters inIslam!+Islam has nothing to dowith terrorism. Islam is indeed areligion spread all over the worldrecognized and accepted by theworld as a religion that alwaysadvocate for peace and securityand harmony.

The Prophet of Islam,Muhammad said: “You willnever enter paradise until youbecome a true believer (mu’min).You will never become a true be-liever until you love one another.Shall I lead you to a deed that ifyou do it, you will love one an-other? Spread peace between andamongst you.

We must always seek the helpof our Creator. Allah alone is ableto facilitate any success. The for-mula is simple: we need meticu-lous planning, followed by hardwork, prayer and supplication.Then we must be patient and per-severe, entrusting our affairs toAllah. This is known as Tawakkul.It is our best guarantee of success.

Let us pray to Allah, to help usclear the good name of Islam. AsMuslims and as true Believers, letour thoughts, our words anddeeds, show convincing proof thatIslam, the way of Peace, has noplace for terrorism, whether it isindividual, group or state terror-ism. O Allah, in these difficulttimes, let us defeat the hate mon-gers and slanderers. In the wordsof your Prophet Moses, whoprayed, “O Allah, expand mybreast for me, and loosen mytongue.” Help us also, by givingus wisdom and articulate speech.Let us personify noble characterand good manners, and so win thewar of hearts and minds, for Islam.

+It is therefore high time forthose who associate Islam withterrorism to look deeply into theteachings of Islam and peacefulmessage Islam.

Muslims, the answer is an em-phatic NO. Muslims have clearguidelines on how to conductthemselves in battle. These Rulesof Engagement were set byProphet Muhammad himself, andwere keenly observed by his fol-lowers. Muslims cannot dishonora treaty; they cannot mutilate thedead; they cannot kill women, chil-dren, the elderly or any personwho does not carry weapons. AMuslim cannot kill those engagedin worship, like monks or priestsor Rabbis; we cannot cut downtrees or burn crops or poison wa-ter supplies [i.e. use chemicalweapons]. We are only allowed tokill those who physically attack+or+intend to kill us and thus act inself-defense.

Life is considered too preciousto be taken carelessly. A Hadithaccording to Abu Dawood, saysthat the Prophet Muhammadcame across a body of a womanafter a battle, and he reprimandedhis followers, saying, “She was notamong those who fought us.”+Is itpermissible to take the life of a non-Muslim?

+The Prophet Muhammad said:“Whoever kills a Dhimmi [a non-Muslim citizen of an Islamic State]is not even going to smell the fra-grance of Paradise”

In another important Hadith,the Prophet Muhammad said: “AMuslim is he from whose tongueand hands, other Muslims are safe;and a Mu’min, [a Believer] is he inwhom all of humankind has asanctuary for life and property”

Not only must other Muslims besafe from our words and ourdeeds, but the whole of human-kind must feel safe in our custody!What an honor! What a big, bigresponsibility to answer for, on theDay of Judgment!

And, they call us terrorists! “Is-

[ M U S L I M S A C R O S S T H E N A T I O N ]■ Educators were oriented on Islamicvalues at the National ParticipatoryWorkshop of ATEP (AcceleratedTeacher Education Program) Cycle 1,held in Regency Inn, Davao City onFeb. 9 convened by the Departmentof Education-National and BEAM-ESME (Basic Education Assistancefor Mindanao-Extended Support toMuslim Education). ATEP Managersand ATEP Lead Trainers of the sixpartner universities (Mindanao StateUniversities of General Santos andTawi-Tawi, Notre Dame University,University of Southern Philippinesand University of Southern Mindanao)were trained on teaching basic Ara-bic and Islamic concepts to presentto the prospective selected TeacherEducation Institutions (TEI’s) andColleges of Education all over thecountry. The program is in accord withDepEd Order no. 51, series of 2004which expands the offering of ArabicLanguage and Islamic Studies inDepEd to other regions in the coun-try. DEPed Usec. Manaros Boransingheaded the DepEd national while Dr.Ian D’Arcy Walsh and Mr. NoorMohamad Saada led the BEAM.

■ The Armed Forces of the Philippines(AFP) conducted a training at theAteneo de Manila University on “Bridg-ing Leadership Towards a PeacefulMuslim Community in the NationalCapital Region” on February 13-15.Officials of government agencies such

as the Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA)and security forces were invited.

■ The first Moro tenor, Abdul Candaoof the Vienna Conservatory and pia-nist Najib Ismael gave a series of per-formances in the Philippines startingFebruary 8 at the Francisco SantiagoHall, PCI Bank, Makati and February18 at Marawi Resort Hotel in time forMarawi Tourism Week with the theme,A Night with World-Class Moro Talents. Their performances are in coordina-tion with the Department of Tourismof the Autonomous Region in MuslimMindanao (ARMM).

■ In time for Arts Month this Febru-ary, A National Conference on TausugCulture was conducted on February21-23 at the Ateneo de ZamboangaUniversity. Angat Kultura will also belaunched in Cotabato City by theARMM through the Bureau of CulturalHeritage (BCH) with the support of the“First Ladies” of the Municipal May-ors of Maguindanao on February 13to promote and preserveMaguindanao’s culture . BCH DeputyExecutive Director Omar Patadon saidthe BCH intend to discuss the con-cept of the program, “Angat Kultura”which will require every municipalityto pinpoint musical instrument theywould like to promote in their town.

■ Young students mostly of IslamicStudies from Mindanao State Univer-

sity (MSU)-Sulu, Basilan, Marawi andCagayan de Oro converged on January28 to February 1, 2007 at Mercedes,Zamboanga City for the 1st Risale-i-Nur Regional Reading Camp Facilita-tors’ Training,” with the theme: Risale-i-Nur: A Mechanism Towards Self-Transformation and Eternal Brother-hood in order to study and read the“Treatise of Light” known as theRisale-I-Nur collection written by aBediuzzaman Said Nursi, a famousMuslim scholar who was seen as aMarvel of Time in Turkey.

■ As part of the measures being un-dertaken by the Philippine governmentto improve the seaweeds industry inthe country, the Mindanao EconomicDevelopment Council (MEDCo) in co-ordination with the Bureau of Fisher-ies and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) hasorganized a mission tour to Sabah,Malaysia on February 11-17. The mis-sion, which will be composed of pub-lic and private fishery officials fromMindanao and Palawan, is intendedto bolster the performance of thecountry’s seaweeds industry. The del-egation will visit all the seaweed pro-cessing plants and some growing ar-eas in Sabah and meet with their com-pany officials. The group will also getinto talks with officials of the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-Facili-tation Center (BIMP-FC) pertaining tothe conduct of the proposed 1st BIMP-EAGA Seaweed Conference in 2007.

■ The Mindanao Peace Building In-stitute announces its call for appli-cants for its 8th training on May 21 toJune 8. This institute, which will runfor three weeks, will bring together awide range of people with experience,knowledge and skills in peace-relatedwork in Asia and other conflict zones.Intensive training in areas such as re-ligious peacebuilding, mediation,grassroots peace work, and conflicttransformation will hopefully increasesuch skills, drawing on the sharedknowledge of both the participants andthe facilitators. Course fees are at$400. Email mpi@ph.seapro.crs.orgfor application forms. The training issponsored by Catholic Relief Services(CRS), Mennonite Central Committee(MCC) and Catholic Agency for Over-seas Development (CAFOD)

■ One World Institute announcesthe launching of the 2nd NationalMoro Art Contest in Taguig this Feb-ruary . The theme is “Moro History- Past and Present.” Many of theartists (mostly amateurs) are formerrebels who laid down their swordsfor the paintbrush. EmailYolandaOStern@aol.com for details.

■ The Royal Sultanates ofMaguindanao and Marawi City con-vened in Marawi City on February 18for the 1st Mindanao Masuwara (Con-sultation) for Solidarity, Peace andDevelopment. Led by Sultan Kudarat

Governor Omar “Pax” Mangudadatu,Rajah Buayan of Buayan,Maguindanao, the sultans passed acovenant to unify the Sultanates.

■ The 6th ANNUAL QUR’AN COM-PETITION will be held on MARCH17, 2007, 9:00AM AT U.P. BahayInternasyonal, University of thePhilippines. It is open toall students. Sponsorships, schol-arships, cash prizes awaits the as-piring contestants is on process.Email shermanhis@hotmail.com;am12resh20@yahoo.com for de-tails.

■ The Young Moro ProfessionalsNetwork (YMPN) with funding fromthe United States Institute of Peacewill launch the 5th Young MoroLeader’s Forum and LeadershipTraining on February 28 – March 3at Opol, Misamis Oriental. With thetheme, “The Bangsamoro Future:Prospects and Challenges”, the ac-tivity aims to facilitate the candidexchange of ideas among youngMoro leaders on critical issues thatimpinge on the Bangsamoro future,strengthen the operational networkamong them and encourage theirpresent and future efforts to im-prove the Bangsamoro welfare andsolicit ideas for future collaborativeactivities that may help strengthenthe potential for a lasting peace inMuslim Mindanao.

D3The Manila Times

FRIDAYFebruary 23, 2007 The Moro Times

BY SAMIRA GUTOC

PANDAG, Maguindanao: Rebel-turned farmers in thepeace and development community (PDC) of Kayaga

in this newly-created municipality are optimistic to in-crease their corn production come harvest time with atractor provided to the community’s cooperative.

+“Ngayon na meron na kamingtractor, matatapos na namin angland preparation bago magsimulaang pagtanim (With this farmequipment, we can finish theland preparation before plantingseason),” Taib Kutia, chair of thecooperative, said.

+The provision of tractor, ac-cording to Kutia, would also‘free’ farmers from local traderswhom farmers made arrange-ments with to help them duringplanting season. Traders wouldprovide tractor services, seedsand fertilizer given that the pro-duce would be sold to the traderthe farmer is beholden to withthe trader determining the price.

Kutia said cooperative mem-bers will receive 15% discountfrom the tractor services whileother residents of the commu-nity will get 10% discount.

Aside from the farm equip-ment, the assistance also in-cludes training on project moni-toring and evaluation, im-

+The community has a landarea of more than 2,200 hect-ares, most of which are farm-lands planted to corn, palay,vegetables and palm oil.

+Cooperative chairman TaibKutia said the farm equipmentwould save time and money ofthe farmers as the tractor cancomplete the land preparationworks of at least eight hectaresa day while it takes nine cara-baos to get a hectare ready forplanting given the sameamount of time.

++A number of the farmershave at least one carabao butsome have no work animal atall. Farmers completed landpreparation works after the

right planting season, thus suf-fering from failure in produc-tion and decreased income.

+“Masaya kaming lahat dahilmalaking tulong ito sa aming mgamagsasaka (We’re all happy asthis equipment is a big help tous farmers),” said Kayaga Brgy.Captain Datu AbdulhaminMangelen, Al Haj.

+A farm tractor with plow,harrow and trailer was pro-vided to the BangsamoroMNLF Ummah Multi-PurposeCooperative by the GoP-UNACT for Peace Programme toimprove corn production notonly of the cooperative’s mem-bers but also of other farmers inthe community.

proved corn production andentrepreneurship.

“Dapat ginawa na natin itonuon pa. Ipagpatuloy natin anglaban kontra kahirapan (Weshould have done this earlier.Let’s continue the fight againstpoverty),” said Usec. VirgilioLeyretana, chair of theMindanao Economic Develop-ment Council, which is theimplementing agency of theACT for Peace.

+The need for farm tractorarose during a series of commu-nity consultations where peopleidentified their needs and theresources available in the com-munity. The need for farm trac-tor, as a priority, was presentedand validated during thepeople’s assembly participatedby barangay officials, commu-nity organizers, and representa-tives from the municipal localgovernment unit.

+Kayaga is among the 263PDCs, which are conflict-af-

fected and/or conflict-vulner-able areas being assisted by theACT for Peace Programme tosustain peacebuilding initia-tives in Southern Philippines .

+Recently, the Programme,through various community orga-nizers, helped these communitiesassess their needs and the avail-able resources in their respectiveareas. The assessment served as aguide for economic and social in-terventions not only by theProgramme but also of other do-nor and government agencies.

+Supported by the govern-ments of Australia , NewZealand and Spain , theProgramme is also helping thePDCs to improve their access tointegrated health program;strengthen their capacities toplan, implement and superviseeconomic initiatives; as well asproviding training to enhanceconflict transformation capaci-ties of LGUs and CSOs. (ACTfor Peace)

These twenty barangays will bedistributed as follows: eight+inCentral Mindanao; five in Lanao,two in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, twoin Davao Region, one inZamboanga Peninsula and an-other one in Southern Mindanao,according to BDA implementorCotabato City-based ChairmanDr. Abas Candao.

The barangays to be selectedwill be based on criteria suchas:+number of Internally Dis-placed Persons (IDPs), incidenceof conflict, poverty incidence, ac-cessibility and security, availabil-ity of projects.

Meanwhile, the MTF-RDP isadjudged as one of the mostfund-efficient projects of theWorld Bank as it has surpassedtargets of at least one sub projectbut implemented six subprojects started as of December2006.+All these are done whileminimizing cost and staying onschedule.+MTF-RDP has no allo-cation for office and heavyequipment last year.+It employslearning-by-doing strategywhose main result is people em-powerment.

Currently, BDA is undertakingcommunity-identified projects inTipo-Tipo, Basilan; Sungayan,Dinas, Zamboanga del Sur;Momungan, Balo-I, Lanao delNorte; Sapad, Matanog, ShariffKabunsuan (formerly underMaguindanao Province);Pacalundo, Tarragona, Davao Ori-ental; and Malisbong, Palimbang,Sultan Kudarat.

The MTF is a World Bank ad-ministered multi-donor fund thathas been established to supporttransitional assistance, in the formof grants, for post-conflict recon-struction and development in con-flict affected areas in Mindanaothrough a Reconstruction and De-velopment Program (RDP).+MTF-RDP refers to programs/activitiesfunded by the MTF during its 2-phased implementation.+

Activities/programs which willbe implemented will be guided bythe findings and recommenda-tions of the multi-donor jointneeds assessment that was com-pleted in June 2005.

MTF-RDP is implemented bythe BDA with the assistance ofCommunity and Family ServicesInternational (CFSI) as Trust FundRecipient (TFR).

BDA is a development agencyorganized by the Moro IslamicLiberation Front (MILF) CentralCommittee in accordance with theHumanitarian, Rehabilitation andDevelopment Aspects of the GRP-MILF Peace Agreement of June 22,2001.+It has the mandate to deter-mine, lead and manage relief, re-habilitation and developmentprojects in areas affected by thewar.

It has undertaken various eco-nomic programs such as seedlingdistributions, animal stock dis-persal, post harvest facilities dis-tribution, demonstration farmsand has trained hundreds of fami-lies on cottage-based industries.

It is also identified as a majorpartner in the food-for-educa-tion, food-for-work and food-for-training components of theWorld Food Program by theUnited Nations.

It is also a partner in the imple-mentation of the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiative for Recon-struction and Development (J-BIRD), a program of the JapaneseEmbassy, Japan International Co-operation Agency(JICA) and theJapan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC) that includescrafting of the ComprehensiveBangsamoro Development Plan.

■ UNDERWAY From page D1

Evacuees inMaguindanaoRising:ReconstructionUnderway

”That has always been their(city mayors) position but they arenot the law makers. We are thelawmakers,” Salapuddin said.

”Why are they so selfish to denywhat is due to others?” Salapuddinasked. “Everyone especially thedepressed areas want also to be de-veloped just like them.”

He stressed the best way of eq-uitable sharing of the nationalwealth and income of the govern-ment is by creating cities specifi-cally those provinces without cit-ies yet.

”As I have always said there isno better way of developing ofcountering rebellion and insur-gency in the countryside than eco-nomically uplifting it.”

Members of the Provincial Technical Working Group conducted On-site consultations with the Municipal Council on the Protection of Children (MCPC) in the provinces of Maguindanao and Shariff Kabunsuan. TheMTWG visited the municipalities of Datu Montawal, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Matanog, Buldon, South Upi, Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Parang and Sultan sa Barongis. (Left) Emma Ali of DWSD-Maguindanao with Engr. AmyDalandag (3rd, left) of DILG-Maguindano, Joy Bravo (2nd, left) from Commission on Human Rights 12 and a representative of the Local Government of Montawal (3rd, right) interviewed SPO1 Eddie Quia-eo of DatuMontawal on the needs of the law enforcement in terms of implementing the program for children under the MCPC. The on-site meetings is in partnership with the UNICEF. (BPI-ARMM)

■ Securing children’s rights

BY SAMIRA GUTOC

CHILDREN frolicking on thebeach; a mother hugging herchild in fear while holding acopy of the Qur ’an; variousbattles and historical scenes;and a boy Mujahideen cuddlingan M16 rifle. In time for ArtsMonth,+a Mindanao bares itssoul, described the 50 entriesthat joined the 2nd Annua;Moro Art Competition, un-veiled at the Filipinas HeritageLibrary at the Ayala Center inMakati Ayala + last February 15.

A brainchild of+journalistfrom Sulu+Nelly Sindayen ofNewsweek, the Annual MoroArt Competition was sponsoredby the One World Institute, anonprofit California based pub-lic benefit corporation.+Zamboanga-born Dr. YolandaOrtega Stern is the president ofthe organization while her hus-band Thomas K. Stern, MDserves as chairman of the board.The Sterns,+confered atitle+symbolizing friendship bySultan Kiram,+said the Moro ArtCompetition+was an importanteducational event for all sectorsof Philippine and global society.Believing in the power of art to

Even in micro enterprises—those employing less than tenworkers—the region lags behindwith only 5,339 out of the total747,740 micro enterprises in thecountry. NCR has 168,167.

Number of Establishmentswith Average Employment of 20or more, 2003

PBLF Chairman and CEO Dr.Michael Clancy for his partstressed that the program willalso help private companies interms of coming up with policiesthat are sensitive to the culturaldiversity of the country.

+Who Speaks for Mindanao?The mentoring program will belaunched on March 22 at aroundtable meeting to be held atthe Manila Polo Club. The meet-ing will also include a forum thatwill feature Speaker Jose DeVenecia, Senator AquilinoPimentel, Jr. and senatorial can-didates from both the adminis-tration and opposition tickets.The forum entitled “Who Speaksfor Mindanao?” hopes to directthe attention of the public awayfrom the personalities and nega-tive campaigning of the electionsto a serious discussion of issuesthat affect Mindanao.

■ LAUNCH From page D1

Internshipfor youngMuslims setto launch

Number of EmploymentEstablishments

Philippines 20,554 2.4 millionNCR 9,427 1.1 millionARMM 54 6,584

Source: National Statistics Office

One World Sponsors Moro Art Competitionbreak and transcend barriers,the Sterns poured considerableamount of resources to theproject. All the art materialsused by the participants areprovided free, from canvas, oilpaints, brushes, turpentine andlinseed oil. The prizes for thewinners are P20,000 for the firstplace; P15,000 for the secondplace; and P10,000 for the thirdplace. All the non-winners willreceive each a consolation prizeof P1,000.

Former rebels held paintbrushes instead of their guns todisplay their creativity. An ac-companying note of the art-work with an rebel and a gunsaid it is “showing the eager-ness of the Moro people to winthe struggle for self-determina-tion” and that they never waitto become old enough to fightfor it. One work, depicting thetraditional Tausug dance calledPangalay revealed little knownfacts denoting the valiant spiritof the Moros. The movementsof Pangalay, a posted note ex-plained, also comes in handy asa form of self defense forTausug women. When used forcombative purposes, the move-ments of the Pangalay are

called Langka Budjang, whichhas a martial connotation.

Grand prize winner RizalAlimudin has an obvious pen-chant not only for art but alsohistory. The 47-year-oldAlimudin tried to capture incanvas the horror and glory ofthe battle of Bud Bagsak thatoccurred in January 11 to 15,1913 . Alimudin related that inthe said battle, three valiantMoro leaders namely NakipAmil, Datu Jami and DatuSahipa fought to their lastbreath against the forces ofAmerican General Black JackPershing. The artist also told ofa very interesting detail aboutthe clash. According toAlimuddin, it was in BudBagsak that the Americans firsttried their new and most pow-erful handgun at that time¯ the.45 cal. pistol.

The second prize was baggedby 39-year-old Reynald M.Naluha with his entry portray-ing an old woman weaving abanig or native mat. A flamboy-ant dresser sporting a long hairand studded wrist bands,Naluha who is a native ofZamboanga del Sur used bril-liant colors in his painting remi-

niscent of the vinta sails ofMindanao . His subject seems tohave found peace and quiet dig-nity in the practice of her nativecraft.

Third prize winner 29-year-old Kamaruddin Bin AlawiMohammad’s entry“The Ex-otic Fruits of Sulu” , the onlycanvas still life piece , in oilon canvas displays a subtle in-terplay of light and dark. Suluis not just a place of bravepeople but a land aboundingin nature’s bounty s well. Inaddition to art, Kamaruddin iscurrently toiling for hismaster’s degree at UP Instituteof Islamic Studies.

Headed by noted art re-viewer Joaquin Teotico, thecontest’s distinguished board ofjudges was composed of RodCornejo GMA 7 vice President;Parouk Husein, former ARMMgovernor; Dr. Mashur I. Jundamof the UP Center for IslamicStudies; Mrs. Marlene deGuzman; and Dr. MarleneAgabon.

The Sterns said that all en-tries in this year’s competitionwill be exhibited in Davao ,Zamboanga, Jolo and in SanFrancisco , USA .

Eleven out of the 23 in-mates were victims of illegalarrest and detent ion andhave pending cases of tortureagainst the army headed byGeneral HermogenesEsperon, then chief of 103rdIB in Basilan, that arrested

■ RIGHTSFrom page D1

UN Rapporteur Meets Human Rights Groups in Mindanaothem in July 13, 2001.

The Commission on HumanRights has investigated theCamp Bagong Diwa clashesand presented their conclusiona year after which pointed theculpability of the PNP andGeneral Reyes .

On August 21, 2006,+ Presi-dent Gloria Macapagal-Ar-royo issued AdministrativeOrder No. 157 creating an in-dependent commission led byformer Supreme Court Associ-ate Chief Justice Jose Melo+ toprobe the killings of media

workers and activists.Citing the principle of com-

mand responsibility, the Meloreport held Armed Forces ofthe Philippines chief of staffGen. Hermogenes Esperon andother officers responsible forthe spate of political killings.

■ NEW CITY From page D1

Lamitan inBasilan: anew city inARMM

Tractors bring hope tofarmers in Maguindanao

D4The Manila Times

The Moro Times FRIDAYFebruary 23, 2007

Sultan Kiram: Candidate RoyaleBY NASSER SHARIEF

H IS Royal Highness, Al-Sultan Mohammad Hadji

Jamalul Kiram III, Sultan of Sulu,completed Team UNITY’s 12thslot for the Senate. PresidentGloria Macapagal-Arroyounveiled Kiram’s name at theKAMPI (Kabalikat ng MalayangPilipino) national conventionheld at the Manila Hotel onFebruary 12.

Sultan Jamalul Kiram’s choice camelike a magic wand. The sheer dead-weight of the Royalty tipped the bal-ance in the Sultan’s favor. When GabrielClaudio, the President’s political ad-viser, was asked an explanation howSultan Kiram had edged out the popu-lar actor Richard Gomez in the last sen-ate slot, he had no words for it but tosay: “Because he is the Sultan of Sulu.”

Moro Times was able to catch theSultan at the Ambassador Hotel in be-tween engagement to get an exclusiveinterview. The Sultan, always crisp anddirect to the point, and accommodat-ing, wasted no words.

MORO TIMES: Your highness,what made you decide to run for thesenate?

SULTAN KIRAM: This is the onlychance for Muslims to be heard, the lasttrain I believe. An opportunity, it is. Asit turns out, I’m the only Muslim can-didate so far. So I say, let’s forget tribalexclusions—we’re all one in this.Hawak natin and ating kinabukasan athuwag tayong maghiwa-hiwalay. We re-ally cannot forgo this chance—baka nexttime around eh wala na tayong tsansa.

MORO TIMES: How does your en-try into the fray affect the Sabah ques-tion?

SULTAN KIRAM: This election is anexercise in politics. Let’s not put theSabah question on the agenda.

MORO TIMES: How did you findyourself in the UNITY ticket? Was thispremeditated?

SULTAN KIRAM: I’m ratherthankful to the UNITY ticket for in-cluding me. This is a coalition party,the PDSP. The party pushed me up.The President of the Philippines is keenon my running for the Senate becauseshe believes I will be able to make asignificant difference compared to therun-of-the-mill type candidates. I’m afresh choice so to speak.

MORO TIMES: How do you assessyour chances?

SULTAN KIRAM: My party, thecoalition plus the Muslim voters willbe a great factor. I’m confident. My re-lationship with the Christian populacein this country has not tarnished. I hadtouched the fate of many peoplearound the country, albeit in lesspompous ways.

MORO TIMES: What is your stand

■ His Royal Highness, Al Sultan Mohammad Hadji Jamalul Kiram III, Sultan of Sulu in a relaxed mood while he listens to the supplicationsof visitors and courtiers. The Sultan is running for the Senate of the Philippines, the first time ever that a royal figure of the Sulu Sultanatemakes a bid in the political scene. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OFFICIAL ROYAL ARCHIVES OF THE SULU SULTANATE

tanate. There ought to be a revival ofour traditons. Dapat huwag magalit angating Muslim leaders ngayon pero angmasasabi ko ay sila ay watak-watak.

MORO TIMES: The other royaltiesin the South, how do they receive yourcandidacy?

SULTAN KIRAM: The Royal Housesof Lanao give me the utmost respectworthy of the Sultanate. Whenever I visitthe lake, they go out of their way to makeme and my entourage comfortable inevery way possible . I daresay that mycandidacy is their candidacy too. It’stheir fight. For the first time we will betaking up a common cause. One thingwith the present setup is that we cannotbe choosy with what we can have. Wehave to pivot our way round the system.

MORO TIMES: Who supports youinitially?

SULTAN KIRAM: Let me be hon-est, even if blunt. We don’t have bud-get for the election. I’m banking on myfriends, supporters and the goodwillof the Sultanate to the people to giveme a chance to provide the necessaryangle in the political reckoning of thiscountry, the Philippines.

MORO TIMES: What can you sayfor the country compared to otherAsian countries?

SULTAN KIRAM: Ours don’t lookback. Look at Japan, no matter howmodernized they are they always haveschemes of incorporating their traditionin their homes, workplace, parks andthe like. In 1985 I was guest of DonSasagawa in Osaka. And I cried becauseof what I saw. Here is a people whodon’t betray the thread of their past.

MORO TIMES: How you came tobe invited to Japan? As a royal guest?

SULTAN KIRAM: It came by acci-dent. It started with the kidnapping ofone Japanese in Sulu. I was asked to helpwork out the release of the hostage. Hewas I believe taken by a so-called “lostcommand” from the MNLF, a splintergroup. It was a serious case. He was heldfor a year, so I was enlisted to help. Ittook 2 months to negotiate. Without anyransom, with just food and a few packsof cigarettes I was able to pull off a dealwith the captors. As a token of goodwill,the Don Sasagawa foundation donatedhospital equipment in the form ofbeddings, endoscopy machine, incuba-tors and some minor instruments. Andwe also received a boat to go with thedonation. All these, I have handed overto the Provincial Health Office.

MORO TIMES: So far how is yourcampaign doing?

SULTAN KIRAM: We will have ourfirst salvo in Cebu. I was not floated. Iam the surprise candidate of the UNITYticket. So far my reception has been veryencouraging. As sampler, Mayor Tingaof Taguig City has pledged that theywill see to it that I will turn out Num-ber One in Taguig. The same goes withevery town I visited.

on the Anti-Terror Bill?SULTAN KIRAM: The ATB? No

comment. No, I don’t have a stand onthe Anti-Terror Bill. But I’m against anyform or degree of terrorism. It’s sadthat terrorism is equated by others withIslam. It really gives us a bad name. Ithink we have to eradicate this naiveté.

MORO TIMES: What’s your rela-tion with the MNLF?

SULTAN KIRAM: I have no formalrelation with the MNLF but of course Iknow many of them, especially those atthe helm. My concern is the historicalright of the Sultanate. I’m not about toespouse any political moves. The rightof the Sultanate is beyond any politics.For as long as there are Muslims in thiscountry, they are my constituents. Noth-ing can take that from us. It’s as basic asthe air we breathe.

MORO TIMES: How about the MILF?SULTAN KIRAM: I used to have

working relationship with HashimSalamat. He has consulted me on anumber of occasions. As with manyMuslims, I had good chemistry withhim. As well, I get along with manynational leaders. I’m willing to workalong with anyone as long as it’s for thecommon good of our people. Why not?

MORO TIMES: What are yourthoughts on developments inMindanao? What will be your ap-proach?

SULTAN KIRAM: This may havebeen said many times and heard manytimes over, but there can’t be transfor-mations and progress in the Southwithout solving the peace. Peace is thevery key. Peace has to be layered firstbefore any additional coating is ap-plied in turning around Mindanao forthe better. I want to unite people—Muslims and Christians—in workingfor the common good of the people in

the countryside. Through cooperation,respect for each other’s right to pur-sue their own goal as long as they don’tcancel out another ’s right, we canmake the future bright for our children.

MORO TIMES: What would beyour role in this?

SULTAN KIRAM: The Sultanate isan anchor for us. I want to work forSpecial Bills—Bills on Ancestral Do-main, Restoration of the HistoricalRights of our people, and bringing backour culture. We need the Sultanate morethan ever. It’s my pride that I was thefirst one to convene Moro leaders inSaudi Arabia in the eighties when thereseemed to be no end to the impasseamong the leaders. And I didn’t ask tobe compensated for the job.

MORO TIMES: How do you assesthe current situation in Mindanao?

SULTAN KIRAM: Mindanao hasworsened since the ditching of the Sul-

Aquilino Pimentel III:Will he Championthe Moro Agenda?BY NASSER SHARIEF

CANDIDATES are now busy wooingvoters that you can hardly get atthem this campaign season. But vot-ers are equally not passive either.Much so in the case of Moro voters.Always mindful how their cause isalways glossed over in the Senateand the Congress, they too shop fortheir own candidates to fill up theirballots—candidates who are willingto take up the cudgel in advancingtheir cause, or at least give it a try.

This election period is no excep-tion. With only the Sultan of Sulu,his highness, Jamalul Kiram III run-ning for the Senate from among theMuslims (see interview in this is-sue), Senatorial candidates who aremostly outside Mindanao are keenlyaware it is open season to hunt forthe Moro vote. One of the favoritechoices is the young Aquilino ‘Koko’Pimentel III of Cagayan de Oro, whoalready has+formed an extensive re-lationship with the Muslims in theAutonomous Region in MuslimMindanao (ARMM) and the pocketsof Muslim communities fromaround the country.

Koko’s discipline and capacity forbrain work made itself manifest tothe public when he topped the barexam in 1990.+ Koko, unknown tomany Filipinos, is also a+chess wiz-ard. In the 80s, he competed in tour-naments with seasoned masters andeven internationally titled players.Koko was one who would neverrefuse a skittle game no matter howbusy he was. Even when he was hon-eymooning with+then BinibiningPilipinas+Jewel May, the couplecould be seen frequenting theGrandmaster Café near the rotundaof Timog in Quezon City where the

likes of Grandmasters Joey Antonioand Eugene Torre used to hang out.

Jewel said that if it could becalled a weakness, Koko’s rigid ad-herence to rules has few peers. “Herespects the red, the green, and theyellow of the traffic light. My hus-band may not be pious but he isGod-fearing. He is honest in deal-ing with people and he doesn’t likeunderhandedness.”

Why is he running for the Senate?“Koko is running because he wantedto be remembered for generations.He doesn’t want to be just a flash inthe pan. He wants to endure in theminds of the Filipinos. His visionspans generations, and I hope Fili-pinos will appreciate this side ofhim, especially the youth.”

Although estimates are too early,Koko is seen to be topping the sur-veys in the race for the senate. He isan official candidate of the PartidoDemokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ngBayan, the party headed by his fa-ther and one of the parties alliedwith the United Opposition (UNO).

A day before Valentine’sDay,+Koko +unveiled his 10-PointAgenda: Alleviate the problem ofmassive poverty of our People; Pur-sue a national peace agenda; Providea universal health delivery system;Guarantee education as right; Em-power the youth; enhance local au-tonomy; Improve the justice system;Strengthen the social services; Pro-tect the environment, and; Supportwomen’s rights.

The young Pimentel said that hisplatform revolves around issues ofthe milieu in which he grew up: thejustice system, science and technol-ogy, rule of law and local autonomy.

In his Rule of Law platform, Kokostated that “everyone—rich or

poor—must have access to compe-tent legal assistance and advice.Rules are rules for both the govern-ing class and the governed. All gov-ernment officials must accept thatthey too are subject to the law. Thegovernment itself must be law-abid-ing. We must cultivate this cul-ture…”

On education, Koko believes thatthe key to breaking the chain of pov-erty is science and technology.”Thoroughly a product of theinternet age, Koko spends a decentamount of time keeping in-tune withevery development in informationtechnology. He has researched andattended courses on Cybercrimeand+Internet Laws here and abroad,”Jewel said.

On Local Autonomy, Koko’s fa-

ther, Senator Aquilino Pimentel, Jr.,champions the federal form of gov-ernment as an equitable system forthe Philippines to solve the imbal-ance in allocating the country’s re-sources, and giving certain groupsa setup conducive to their uniqueneeds. “Local Autonomy is the keyto bringing development to thecountryside. This will break theprovinces’ dependence on the cen-tral government represented by‘imperial Manila’…Why ask Manilawhat is best for Mindanao? ForBicol? For Visayas and the IlocosRegion?” said Koko.+ “In our in-creasingly complex world, LocalGovernment need to be run morelike corporations, with an empha-sis on planning and competentmanagement.”

Pundits are of the opinion that inthe coming election Moro votersshould bank on the local autonomyagenda when making a decisionwhom to vote for among the candi-dates. In Point 2 of his 10-PointSenartorial Agenda, Koko said that“to end the Moro secessionist wars,a federal system of governmentmust be put in place.”

Paisalin P. Tago, Speaker of theRegional Legislative Assembly of theARMM, who is also President of theMusim Alliance For Pimentel (MAP),said that “Koko Pimentel espousesjust the kind of agenda that occupiesthe mind of every Muslim in thecountry. He appreciates our needsthat’s why we are backing him. I’mconfident that come May he will haveus—lock, stock and barrel.”

■ Aquilino Martin ‘Koko’ de la Llama Pimentel III and wife, beauty queen Jewel May Colmenares Lobaton-Pimentel, greet Moro supportersin Manila during the filing of senatorial candidacy. Koko is running under Partido Demokratiking Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan allied with theUnited Opposition (UNO).Koko Pimentel is hoping to extend the services his father had done for the Muslim population in the Philippines.One of his priorities in the 10-Point Agenda he unveiled on the eve of his filing his candidacy is the “pursuit of peace to end the long Morosecessionist wars by instituting a federal system of government, and other rebel challenges by addressing their root causes. A B.S. Mathmajor before he topped the bar exam in 1990, Koko Pimentel is reputed to process problems very fast and dish out solutions efficiently. Hehopes to appeal to the youth by keeping abreast with information technology and making science education a keystone in his platform.