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RP NOT WORTHY TO BE OIC OBSERVER - Anak Mindanaw |
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Written by Samira Ali Gutoc
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Friday, 17 October 2003 |
Reject the Philippines. Suprisingly, some Muslim leaders are not at all keen to have the Philippine government accorded observer status in the biggest pan-Islamic body and influential 57-member Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).
Party-list Rep. Mujiv Hataman of Anak Mindanaw says the country is "not worthy" to be an observer . "Government is not sincere . This (application) would be an additional machine to suppress the right to self-determination of the bangsamoro." The Philippines has been represented by the MNLF under Nur Misuari since the late 70s. But government has been accused of "divide and rule tactics" when the MNLF was divided into several factions. The faction under current ARMM governor Parouk Hussin was the group that government supported during last year's ARMM elections as against MNLF founding chairman Nur Misuari. The current RP government is batting for the current ARMM leadership under the MNLF Council of 15 chairman Parouk Hussin to represent the Philippines. Other MNLF factions also exist after Nur Misuari was detained on charges of rebellion in a Laguna jail.
Sign of President GMA favoring Hussin as representative of the MNLF is Hussin being made part of the Philippine delegation to the current OIC summit in Kuala Lumpur. MILF panelist and lawyer Musib Buat says grant of observer status to the Philippines will duplicate the bangsamoro representation by the MNLF contrary to the MNLF-MILF joint accord in 2001, which recognized the MNLF as the representative of the Bangsamoro.
Hataman says support for the RP application would justify its support for the war on terror, led by the United States. "Philippines, as a strong ally of the United States would just practice war against Muslims." ARMM Director for Social Fund Norhata Alonto says the shooting of Al-Ghozi as part of the anti-terrorism drive can "happen and will be done to any Muslim accused of a crime."
Some are optimistic that the Philippine government may learn from other countries with Muslim minorities, such as Thailand who is accorded observer status for complying with delivery of services and recognition of its Muslim minority. "OIC rejection (if any) of RP application reflects the current mishandling of the peace process, human rights and poverty issues in Muslim Mindanao. This is positive because government will now consider these concerns seriously," said lawyer Algamar Latiph, former chairperson of the Manila-based Muslim Youth and Students Alliance.
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