May 3, 2000, BusinessWorld, Palace acknowledges crisis situation in Mindanao,

 Concerned by the "crisis" in Mindanao, Malacañang may call a special meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) when Congress resumes sessions later this month. In the meantime, Executive Secretary Ronaldo B. Zamora said the Cabinet cluster on national security and foreign policy, or Cluster E, agreed to meet daily to discuss the insurgency problem in Mindanao. 

"The Cluster E met (last Monday) and we agreed to meet everyday until the crisis is over. We will be meeting daily since we are facing three issues in Mindanao," Mr. Zamora said in the vernacular. 

However, he admitted that more than the Abu Sayyaf hostage-taking, the government is very much concerned by the possible escalation into a full- blown war of the skirmishes between the military and Moro rebels, after the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) unilaterally called off peace talks last Sunday. 

An MILF-government full-blown war would likely affect Maguindanao and North Cotabato in Central Mindanao, where the MILF has a dominant presence, as well as in nearby areas. It would also be another black eye to Mindanao, whose image has already been tarnished following two separate Abu Sayyaf-instigated kidnappings last month. 

"Perhaps the most serious is the problem with the MILF. We have been clearing the Narciso Ramos Highway of checkpoints and outposts, but the MILF is objecting to this. So fighting may erupt again. In fact, there is violence go/ing on right now," Mr. Zamora said in the vernacular. 

The MILF, through vice-chairman for military affairs Al Haj Murad, unilaterally suspended "indefinitely" last April 30 peace talks with the government for allegedly violating a 1997 ceasefire agreement. The MILF, one of the secessionist Moro groups, has accused the military of attacking Camp Abubakar, its main camp in Maguindanao. But the Armed Forces of the Philippines maintains it is only conducting "clearing operations" on Narciso Ramos Highway, which leads to Camp Abubakar and is littered with some 15 MILF checkpoints. 

Malacañang reiterated its willingness to resume talks with the MILF, but Assistant Press Secretary Michael T. Toledo said the government is determined to clear the highway. He also said Malacañang has yet to confirm reports alleged MILF rebels have taken hostage 100 other persons in Cotabato. 

Mr. Zamora said the two other issues that will top the Cluster E's agenda is the search-and-rescue operations for 27 hostages -- mostly school children -- held by the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan, and the negotiations for the release of 21 foreign nationals abducted at gunpoint, also by the Abu Sayyaf, from the Sipadan island resort in Malaysia last April 23. 

"Once Congress resumes its sessions, the President may call for an NSC meeting," Mr. Zamora said. As of now, majority of the legislators who form part of the Council are out of the country, as Congress is on a one-month recess that started last April 15. 

The NSC is the highest advisory body to the President on matters concerning national security. It is convened by the President to seek advice from government and private sector leaders on issues and concerns that transcend the exclusive competence of just one branch of government. 

SEEKING INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION 

Meanwhile, Mr. Zamora said the government may name additional "intermediaries" to talk to Abu Sayyaf rebels holding the 21 foreign nationals in Talipao, Sulu. But he said Malacañang will stick with Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor Nur Misuari as chief negotiator despite the reported demand of the Abu Sayyaf for his recall. 

He also said the government will not agree to the demand of the Abu Sayyaf for a United Nations representative to negotiate for the release of the 21 foreigners. "We do intend to allow the kidnapping be made an international issue. There is no problem if we tapped Mr. Misuari as negotiator, but we may tap additional intermediaries ... We will keep Mr. Misuari as negotiator as long as possible," Mr. Zamora added. Mr. Misuari, who like the Abu Sayyaf kidnappers is also Tausug-speaking, chairs Moro National Liberation  Front (MNLF) which signed a peace agreement with the government in September 1986. 

Mr. Misuari also sent his wife, Eleonora Tan Misuari, to meet with President Estrada yesterday afternoon to relay the "concerns" of the Abu Sayyaf. Aside from this meeting, Mr. Estrada had no other official schedule. However, he attended the birthday celebration of her mother, Doña Mary Ejercito held at the Manila Hotel last night. 

In a radio interview, Mr. Misuari warned he will back out as government negotiator if the Abu Sayyaf would make impossible demands in exchange for its foreign hostages. 

he said, so far, the abductors have not yet made known their demands, but have sent word they are willing to start talks only after government forces "withdraw" from their present position. 

"As soon as this happens they are willing to open talks with me. Once talks begin, I should be able to know their demand and, if it is doable on the part of the government, then I will push through with talks. Otherwise, I will tell the government to look for another person because I don't like to risk my reputation dealing with people who are asking for the impossible," Mr. Misuari. 

He said he was informed by Mr. Zamora last Monday night that the military was willing to move 500 meters away from their present position in response to the demand of the abductors. 

"But I don't know what we can do if talks don't push through or if the government will continue to move closer," Mr. Misuari said, adding that he believes the kidnappers are only seeking international media exposure. "They are resorting to kidnap-for-ransom activities to get money to finance their procurement of armaments and also to maintain their activities. That's very obvious," he said. -- Leotes Marie T. Lugo