Gov. Hussin says peace now within reach in all of M'danao; More economic projects pursued, reg'l exec adds.
COTABATO CITY Governor Parouk S. Hussin of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) says life in the region is back to normal as efforts to improve peace and order in the ARMM, particularly in the once troubled island provinces of Basilan and Sulu, is gaining ground.
The recent arrest and killing of Abu Sayyaf leaders and members and other lawless elements have contributed to the improved peace and order all over Mindanao.
A vital ingredient that contributes to the prevailing peaceful climate in the region, Hussin said, is the revival of the peace negotiation between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 1996.
Hussin, who is running for senator under the administration ticket, also cited the Arroyo administrations effort to transform Mindanao into the countrys food basket as a big step towards ending the three-decade-old secessionist movement.
President Arroyo recently ordered the rehabilitation of the vast Camp Abubakar, renamed Camp Iranon after the Iranon group, and the conversion of the same from being a former MILF stronghold to a major agro-industrial center.
Another vast area, the 21,000-hectare Columbio Resettlement Area (CRA) in Sultan Kudarat, home to some 7,000 former MILF fighters, is also being developed into a major agro-industrial hub.
"The Arroyo administrations rural development program is a big step towards the attainment of lasting peace in the region and other parts of Mindanao. It will not only help curb insurgency but it will also create more jobs and spur rural economy," Hussin said.
Hussin said the region is now secured more than ever, thanks to the recent transfer of the administrative management and supervision over the regional command of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to the ARMM, which has greatly contributed to the successful operations against criminal elements in the area.
He added the creation of the ARMM Armed Forces Unified Command under the Southern Command last June beefed up the security of the region.
It signified the completion of the Military component of the 1996 Peace Agreement between the Philippine Government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
The ARMM governor recently organized the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) to promote mechanism for the resolution of traditional conflicts.
The recent arrest and killing of Abu Sayyaf leaders and members and other lawless elements have contributed to the improved peace and order all over Mindanao.
A vital ingredient that contributes to the prevailing peaceful climate in the region, Hussin said, is the revival of the peace negotiation between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 1996.
Hussin, who is running for senator under the administration ticket, also cited the Arroyo administrations effort to transform Mindanao into the countrys food basket as a big step towards ending the three-decade-old secessionist movement.
President Arroyo recently ordered the rehabilitation of the vast Camp Abubakar, renamed Camp Iranon after the Iranon group, and the conversion of the same from being a former MILF stronghold to a major agro-industrial center.
Another vast area, the 21,000-hectare Columbio Resettlement Area (CRA) in Sultan Kudarat, home to some 7,000 former MILF fighters, is also being developed into a major agro-industrial hub.
"The Arroyo administrations rural development program is a big step towards the attainment of lasting peace in the region and other parts of Mindanao. It will not only help curb insurgency but it will also create more jobs and spur rural economy," Hussin said.
Hussin said the region is now secured more than ever, thanks to the recent transfer of the administrative management and supervision over the regional command of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to the ARMM, which has greatly contributed to the successful operations against criminal elements in the area.
He added the creation of the ARMM Armed Forces Unified Command under the Southern Command last June beefed up the security of the region.
It signified the completion of the Military component of the 1996 Peace Agreement between the Philippine Government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
The ARMM governor recently organized the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) to promote mechanism for the resolution of traditional conflicts.
