Military

DATE=02/20/2002

TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT

NUMBER=5-51130

TITLE=PHILIPPINES TERROR / SOCIETY

BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB

DATELINE=ISABELA, PHILIPPINES

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: In the southern Philippines island of Basilan, U-S troops are training with Philippine soldiers to combat the Abu Sayyaf rebels. The guerrillas say they are fighting for an Islamic homeland, but they mostly engage in murder and kidnapping for ransom. Correspondent Scott Bobb reports from the provincial capital of Isabela on how the Abu Sayyaf's reign of terror has affected the island's people.

TEXT: Years of violence have created an atmosphere of suspicion and fear on this forested island near the southern tip of the Philippines archipelago.

One of the poorest provinces in the country, Basilan's population of about 300-thousand people is evenly divided between Muslims and Christians. Its poverty, residents say, is made worse by years of government neglect.

/// SOUND OF ISABELA STREET///

Women from both communities, the Muslim ladies usually wearing head-scarves, ride to the store in covered motorcycle sidecarss, the most common form of public transportation here. Their children walk to parish schools or Koranic madrassas, in the morning.

Yet most live in neighborhoods that are segregated by religion. And there is a caution in personal relationships. A stranger draws furtive glances from some people, while others wave and shout a greeting.

/// SOUND OF STREET, GREETING ///

Hey, Joe.

/// END ACT ///

Soldiers and police are everywhere. And each neighborhood has a checkpoint that at night is manned by volunteers in the civilian militia.

Violence between Muslims and Christians has alternately flared and cooled in the southern Philippines for centuries -- since Christian Spaniards first colonized the islands.

The past decade of conflict with the Abu Sayyaf has created suspicion between the two communities. The archbishop of Basilan, Martin Jumwad, says this is difficult to overcome, especially among more conservative Muslims.

/// 1st JUMWAD ACT ///

They are very closed to themselves and they do not even say 'hello' or 'how are you?' They do not talk to us.

/// END ACT ///

Privately, members of the Christian community say they are afraid to denounce people they know have ties to Abu Sayyaf. And they live in fear of attacks and kidnappings. Wealthier residents, many of whom have been kidnapping victims, protect themselves with armed guards. Some have sent their families away.

Leaders in the Muslim community, like Ustadz Usman Mangkabong, the founder of several madrassas, say relations are good between the two communities.

/// USMAN ACT. IN ENGLISH, THEN DIALECT ///

Relationships, Christian-Muslim? Very good here in Basilan. (dialect).

/// END ACT. ///

But Professor Usman says Christians sometimes falsely accuse rivals of being Abu Sayyaf, to settle scores in personal disputes. And many residents complain that the military, in its campaign against the Abu Sayyaf, harasses and threatens them.

Nevertheless, religious leaders from both communities are striving to mend the shredded fabric of this society.

Archbishop Jumwad says that in response to the violence, priests and imams have formed a group called the Movement for Peace and Justice. He says they tell their followers that this is not a religious war.

/// 2nd JUMWAD ACT ///

That is why we agreed to come together, because it is only when we are united, Muslims and Christians, that the masa (masses) will realize it's not a war between Muslims and Christians, but it is purely the Abu

Sayyaf, whose members would wish only to terrorize.

/// END ACT ///

Ali Ayoub heads another such organization, the Salaam Peace Foundation.

Mr. Ali says there are groups in this society that are willing to talk.

/// ALI AYOUB ACT ///

Dialogue is our key here. We conduct a dialogue on the community level, and school-based, and even in public gatherings. But we try to exchange our feelings and try to understand.

/// END ACT ///

The leaders note that both religions preach peace and neither condones violence. And they say they are trying to teach that after centuries of violence, it is clear war has not worked, so why not try peace?

Nevertheless, many observers say the violence will not end until some of the people's basic grievances are addressed, including poverty and neglect by the national government in Manila. (signed)

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