October 20, 2000, ABS-CBN, MILF on Estrada's side?,

October 20, 2000, ABS-CBN, MILF on Estrada's side?,

DAVAO CITY, (ABS-CBN) - In the midst of the "jueteng" scandal that has rocked his administration, President Joseph Estrada found an unlikely ally in the secessionist rebel organization Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that said he should be accorded due process.

MILF spokesperson Eid Kabalu on Thursday said the President should be given a chance to explain his side and that moves to oust him from office are premature.

"Dapat bigyan ng pagkakataon ang Presidente para magsalita tungkol sa mga akusasyon laban sa kanya," Kabalu maintained over an interview with a local radio station.

[The President should be given the chance to speak and defend himself against the accusations being hurled at him.]

The embattled Chief Executive is under fire for allegedly pocketing some P400 million in jueteng kickbacks in the last two years. 

His accuser is former political ally and alleged gambling companion Ilocos Sur governor Luis "Chavit" Singson.

Singson also alleged that President received a hefty portion of his province's tobacco taxes.

Kabalu's statement came as a surprise after the President declared an all-out war against the MILF last June. The Muslim organization then retaliated by ordering the commencement of a "jihad" or Holy War versus the government.

Scores have been killed and thousands were displaced in the hostilities that have erupted between the government and the MILF since February.

Kabalu said the MILF is set to meet with delegates from the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) who arrived Monday, to observe first-hand the current situation in the beleaguered South.

He said the MILF will present a resolution aimed to stop the violence in Mindanao and pave the way for the resumption of peace talks.

"We will meet with the OIC delegates today (Friday) to present our resolution to end the war in Mindanao and how to resume the peace negotiations with the government. We want to end the war in Mindanao," he declared.

The MILF is fighting for an independent Islamic state.

The secessionist group's pronouncement is in stark contrast to the actions of militant organizations in Davao who are calling for Estrada's ouster.

This is only the fourth time since the 1986 EDSA revolution that leftist groups from various sectors merged and came out with a united stand against the government.

The Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC), Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Karapatan and Promotion of Church Response stressed that they are willing to set aside their differences in order for the administration to know that they mean business.

The Catholic Church is also reportedly supportive of moves to extricate Estrada from office. Priests will reportedly be facilitating meetings between moderate and militant groups.