New ARMM governor: No progress without peace

Newly installed Gov. Parouk Hussin of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) urged Muslim rebels yesterday to lay down their arms and help in the development of Mindanao, saying there could be no development and progress without peace.

Hussin, a physician and former leader of the separatist Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), was sworn into office yesterday by President Arroyo at Malacañang following his official proclamation as winner of the Nov. 26 gubernatorial race in the ARMM late Monday.

Representing the ruling Lakas-NUCD party, Hussin bested 15 other bets and will serve as ARMM governor for three years.

Hussin’s predecessor, MNLF chieftain Nur Misuari, was arrested and detained for illegal entry in Malaysia where he fled after leading his rabid followers in attacking at least six military detachments in Zamboanga last Nov. 19 in a last-ditch attempt to hold on to power.

"The biggest challenge is peace and order because we cannot (achieve) development unless we address the deterioration of peace and order," Hussin told reporters, citing kidnappings by armed Muslim groups in the South, specifically the Abu Sayyaf and the Pentagon.

The Abu Sayyaf has been holding an American missionary couple in the jungles of Basilan for almost eight months now, while the Pentagon snatched last month Italian Catholic priest Fr. Giuseppe Pierantoni.

Hussin said the military approach is just one solution to the Mindanao problem. "We will also address the socio-economic aspect of the problem."

He added that the Pentagon gang of rouge Muslim separatist rebels "has to be dealt with by the appropriate (government) agencies."

The President has said she plans to pour development aid into Mindanao and hopes to convince the private sector to follow suit.

Hussin also revealed he has received congratulatory messages from the 57-member Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) which brokered the 1996 peace agreement between the government and the MNLF.

Asked if he considered Misuari and his armed followers as a threat to the ARMM, Hussin said: "To me there is no challenge from Misuari. There has never been any quarrel or split (between us). It just so happens that some brothers, like brother Misuari, are not happy to leave their position."

Hussin said the ARMM government would hold talks not only with the renegade MNLF but other armed forces in the region.

Four suspected followers of Misuari were reported killed over the past two days. One of the victims were lynched by angry villagers as troops stepped up their manhunt for remnants of the group.

The three others were killed in a shootout with the troops who were tipped off by the villagers regarding the armed men’s presence in their locality.

More than 200 followers of Misuari overran last week a government complex in Zamboanga City, triggering clashes with the military that left scores dead and wounded.

The rebels later seized over 100 civilians who were used as human shields, but freed them later in exchange for safe passage.

Some 2,000 soldiers were deployed to surround the village of Panubigan, but officials said negotiations were under way to persuade them to surrender their firearms.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Diomedio Villanueva said three Navy boats were used to prevent the rebels’ escape through the sea.

Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu, commander of the Armed Forces’ Southern Command based in Zamboanga City, confirmed that a standoff has taken place in Panubigan.

Villanueva said the military is prepared to use force to dislodge the rebels and recover their firearms.

"We will set a deadline if the rebels refuse to lay down their arms," he said.

He also said the rebels will still be charged for their atrocities in Cabatangan town even if they surrender their weapons.

Military officials said the armed group was reinforced by Abu Sayyaf bandits from Sulu and Basilan.

Villanueva stressed, however, that all avenues to peacefully end the standoff will be explored before troops are mobilized. — Marichu Villanueva, Paolo Romero, Jose Aravilla