DATE=10/01/00
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
BYLINE=ALISHA RYU
DATELINE=MANILA
INTERNET=
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: As the Philippine military's operation to crush Abu Sayyaf rebels in the south enters its third week, Manila is facing more problems with another, much larger Muslim separatist group. Last week, the Moro Islamic Front, or M-I-L-F reaffirmed its holy war, or Jihad, against the government. M-I-L-F leaders said the group would not participate in any future peace talks with the government. VOA's Alisha Ryu in Manila examines the history of the rebellion and the government's unsuccessful attempts to find a peaceful settlement.
TEXT: The M-I-L-F, based on the southern Mindanao Island is the largest Muslim rebel group in the Philippines. It has an estimated 15-thousand members.
The group was formed in 1978 as a splinter group of the Moro National Liberation Front, the M-N-L-F, which had been battling government troops since the early 1970s, trying to carve out an independent Muslim state in the mostly-Roman Catholic Philippines. The M-I-L-F broke away partly because initially, it advoted a more conciliatory approach than the more militant M-N-L-F.
But in 1987, the Manila government's first full-scale attempt to forge a permanent peace with both separatist groups backfired badly. Then-president Corazon Aquino was able to persuade the much-weakened M-N-L-F to agree on giving up its goal of creating an independent Muslim state in return for regional autonomy. But the M-I-L-F--calling the agreement a betrayal--refused tosign the accord. Instead, they declared war on the government.
Subsequent talks between the M-N-L-F and Manila also broke down over disputes about how to implement the deal. As a result, both rebel groups resumed their armed insurgencies.
The government, meanwhile, pushed ahead without the M-L-N-F's cooperation, and in 1990 created four autonomous Muslim provinces in the Mindanao region.
Over the next few years, both rebel groups remained potent military and political forces in the southern Philippines. But the M-I-L-F steadily became the more militant of the two.
In 1996, the M-N-L-F--further weakened by factionalism and infighting--signed a historic peace deal with the government of then-President Fidel Ramos. That accord ended 25 years of rebellion that reportedly took more than 100-thousand lives. The agreement set up a special economic zone to generate foreign investment and integrated a portion of the M-N-L-F fighters into the military and police forces. But once again, the M-I-L-F refused to sign the deal, and vowed to continue its fight for independence.
Current President Joseph Estrada has also had little luch in getting the M-I-L-F to soften its stance. After months of fighting, the government initiated peace talks earlier this year. But Manila attached several conditions, including a demand that the rebels renounce their secessionist goal and lay down arms. When the rebels failed to respond by a June 30th deadline, the government put a bounty on the heads of the M-I-L-F leaders and sent troops to destroy the main rebel headquarters.
Philippines Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado says the military action was necessary.
///MERCADO ACT ONE///
The M-I-L-F has been growing at a rate of 20-percent every year. They have been buying arms. They have commited acts of terrorism and these actscannot be condoned. Negotiation is an option that is open. But these people should not be allowed to just recruit their army and set up camps.
///END ACT///
But University of Philippines political science professor Alex Magno thinks the government overreacted to a situation that called for diplomacy, not force.
///MAGNO ACT ONE///
The M-I-L-F this year was basically playing a negotiating game. They deployed their forces, ran over one town--not to win military advantage but towin leverage at the negotiating table. And Estrada responded by ordering a full assault on the M-I-L-F camps. After the military objective was achieved, Estrada declared he would not stop until he has crushed the M-I-L-F. So, it was the hard-line policy that completely sidelined the peace process.
///END ACT///
But President Estrada insists he does want a negotiated peace settlement, not a prolonged war with the rebels. In his first major conciliatory move, he announced Friday that he would grant amnesty to all M-I-L-F fighters and would drop all conditions for resuming talks. Defense Secretary Mercado.
///MERCADO ACT TWO///
The move by President Estrada to offer amnesty will help increase our bargaining chips and give options to those who have fought the government in the past. We think this will succeed.
///END ACT///
The M-I-L-F, however, does not see it that way. It immediately rejected the amnesty offer--calling it more propaganda from an insincere government. Professor Alex Magno says he cannot blame the rebels for being skeptical.
///MAGNO ACT TWO///
This flip-flopping on policy positions has the M-I-L-F leaders confused. They do not know if they should entertain this or continue what they call a Jihad. The government has no strategy and since there is no strategic framework, policy statements tend to be contradictory and incoherent.
///END ACT///
Even if the peace talks resume, Professor Magno says he is deeply pessimistic that a way can be found to overcome the hostility borne of decades of mutual mistrust and bloodshed. (Signed)
NEB/AR/PFH
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