July 4, 2002, The Philippine Star, Farmers welcome conversion of Abubakar, by Marichu Villanueva,

July 4, 2002, The Philippine Star, Farmers welcome conversion of Abubakar, by Marichu Villanueva,

Two years ago, 45 year-old farmer Camid Macapaar fled Camp Abubakar, which was then under a rain of bombs, shells and bullets from advancing military troops.

In a visit to the former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) enclave last Tuesday, President Arroyo released P10 million in grants to help local residents, including Macapaar, start a new life.

Macapaar was among the first batch of farmers-many of them former MILF rebels-who returned to Abubakar.

"Our people are now thriving here peacefully as farmers, not as MILF combatants as they were before, "Macapaar said in Iranon dialect.

Abubakar-now known as Camp Duma Sinsuat (not Datu Sinsuat as earlier reported)-is now the new headquarters of the Philippine Army's 603rd Infantry Brigade.

The camp's new name is in honor of the late Duma Sinsuat, a Cabinet member of the former President Diosdado Macapagal, Mrs Arroyo's father. The Sinsuat's belong to an influential Muslim clan in Maguindanao province.

Muslim farming communities around the former MILF base welcome the permanent military presence, saying it would greatly improve the local business climate and foster development.

In the past, a climate of fear forced residents to shell out money to pay so-called "revolutionary taxes" levied by the MILF.

Mrs Arroyo said the military will help local farmers develop the 2,000 hectares of arable land and turn the former rebel stronghold into a local agricultural hub.

Last week officials of Matanog, the gateway to the former rebel camp, declared the area a "zone of peace" as a closure of their town's violent territory.

The towns of Matanog, Barira and Buldon, which surround the former Camp Abubakar, saw heavy fighting when government troops captured the base in a massive offensive ordered by then President Joseph Estrada in 2000.

The 10 million, part of a government program to rehabilitate former MILF rebels funded by the US agency for International Aid (USAID), will also be used to build the infrastructure necessary for development.

During Mrs Arroyo's visit, local officials asked her for more public elementary and high schools built for their children and health centers put up to provide sufficient care.

Schools can help their children become responsible citizens, they said. Some farmers said their children might someday even join the military and help in keeping the peace in their communities.