Salamat dead; Murad takes over

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Hashim Salamat, chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), has died due to heart failure, a ranking rebel official confirmed yesterday.

"We would like to inform that brother Hashim passed away last July 13 somewhere in Mindanao because of heart failure," MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar said over state-run Radyo nag Bayan.

Jaafar later told Catholic radio dxMS that Salamat died in the town of Butig in Lanao del Sur and was buried the same day, in accordance with Muslim traditions.

Jaafar said Al Haj Murad Ebrahim succeeded Salamat as chairman after he was elected by the MILF central committee. He said Al Siddique has replaced Murad as vice chairman for military affairs.

Murad will continue to lead the peace talks with the government, Jaafar said.

"The death (of Salamat) will not stop the MILF from pursuing a peaceful, political and comprehensive agreement with the Philippine government," Jaafar said.

"The MILF will continue to lead the struggle of Bangsamoro people," Jaafar added.

The Malaysian government, which is brokering the peace talks between the MILF and Manila, does not see Salamat’s death as a hindrance to the talks.

"We regret his death. He did his work towards peace, took the necessary steps to meet government demands. He denounced terrorism, he joined the May 4 resumption of peace talks and for that he should be honored," said Malaysian Ambassador Mohammed Taufik.

Jaafar said there was a delay in announcing the death because the MILF’s central committee had to inform Salamat’s relatives and choose a successor.

After a week-long meeting, the top leadership chose Murad as the new MILF chairman, Jaafar said.

Jaafar stressed there will be no changes in the MILF’s revolutionary policies, including its intention of pursuing a peaceful, political settlement of their rebellion.

"There will be no changes, we’ll pursue the peace talks," he said. "The MILF remains committed to the peaceful settlement of the problem through negotiations."

MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu also explained the delay in announcing Salamat’s death was in accordance with procedures. This is to make sure the MILF leadership will be not be in a vacuum and not to demoralize their fighters in the field.

Kabalu, however, said Murad cannot continue as the chief rebel negotiator in the peace talks with the government because "it is against policy."

"He (Murad) will be replaced soon. But for the meantime, he is still our chief peace negotiator. However, the (MILF’s) central committee is meeting very soon to decide on his replacement as negotiator," Kabalu said.

Taufik said the designation of Murad as Salamat’s successor should not affect the tone of the peace talks. "He’s no stranger to us, he’s been dealing with Malaysia," he said.

Last month, the MILF and the government agreed to a truce to pave way for the talks, which were suspended earlier this year amid a spate of bombings and attacks blamed by the military on the MILF.

President Arroyo had accused the MILF of providing sanctuary to terrorists.

But Salamat publicly denied links to terrorist groups, including the Jemaah Islamiyah, allegedly linked to the al-Qaeda terror network, and agreed to the ceasefire.

The government lifted the bounties on the MILF leaders and the warrants for their arrest have been suspended.

It was announced Monday that the peace talks between the government and the MILF scheduled in Kuala Lumpur had been delayed but did not give any reasons.

Salamat led the 12,500-strong MILF for more than 25 years in waging war against the government to establish an independent Islamic state in southern Philippines.

He broke away from the mainstream Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) then under jailed leader Nur Misuari in the late 1970s due to principle in waging war for Islamic state.

The MNLF forged a peace agreement in Manila with the government on Sept. 2, 1996 during the Ramos administration.

The MILF, on the other hand, continued its war of secession until a ceasefire was agreed last month to pave the way for the peace talks scheduled in Kuala Lumpur.

For A Lasting Peace

Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Roy Kyamko confirmed they had received the same report about Salamat’s death but expressed doubts on the real cause.

"It is just unfortunate that another Filipino died without the benefit of proper burial," Kyamko said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople said, "Professor Salamat left this world plane at a time when efforts on both sides for peace reached levels never before seen. I believe that he left us with hopes of peace in his heart and dreams of prosperity for his people."

Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. praised Salamat as "one of the great Muslim visionaries of Southeast Asia who brought Mindanao to the dawn of a final peace settlement."

De Venecia also remembered Salamat as "a reformist and spartan leader who lived among his people in poverty. He also welcomed Murad as Salamat’s successor, calling him a personal friend and a person of humility.

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel expressed sadness over Salamat’s demise. "I am saddened by his death. I pray for the eternal repose of his soul," Pimentel said,

"I wish Murad well and may he succeed in negotiating peace with the government," he added.

In Marawi City, thousands of Muslims expressed shock after learning that Salamat already died.

The news of Salamat’s death was announced at a public plaza by Dimapupuno Datu-Ramos, Lanao del Sur provincial vice governor.

Women in the crowd cried out loud while others bowed their heads to manifest their mourning.

Some houses and buildings and public vehicles displayed white flags as a Muslim symbol for mourning.

A day-long "Yahatul Miyana" (prayer) in several mosques in the city will be held in honor of Salamat whom they consider a martyr.

Even some from the military have expressed sadness over Salamat’s death.

Troops from the Army’s 4th Infantry "Diamond" Division expressed grief and sadness and hoped that the death of the MILF chairman will not plunge Mindanao deeper into chaos.

"This is a wake-up call for the negotiators to fast-track the peace process and forge an agreement for peace," 4th ID commander Lt. Col. Francisco Simbajon said.

Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. yesterday expressed hopes the search for a "just and lasting peace" will gain further momentum with the announcement that Murad has assumed the chairmanship of the MILF.

"We express our sincere sympathies to the MILF over the passing of their founding chairman, and in the same breath, we commend them for immediately reaffirming their commitment to resuming peace with the government," Guingona said.

Presidential adviser for peace process and chief government negotiator Eduardo Ermita also expressed sadness over the death of Salamat.

"We hope the peace talks would push through this time. Mr. Murad knows the peace process very well and we understand he will help in finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Mindanao," Ermita said.

Salamat was born July 7, 1942 at the village of Cudal in Pagalugan town, Maguindanao province and pursued studies in Manila and in Cairo, Egypt, where he first started espousing revolutionary thought amid the appalling poverty gripping Muslims in the southern Philippines.

He returned to the Philippines and started organizing Muslim guerrillas. He decided to go underground on Sept. 24, 1972 - three days after late dictator Ferdinand Marcos imposed martial law amid worsening political and economic problems.

"We were together when we entered the jungle four days after martial law was declared," Jaafar said. -With Lino de la Cruz, Bong Fabe, John Unson, Edith Regalado, Sammy Santos, Benjie Villa, Perseus Echeminada, Marvin Sy, AP, AFP