The Sangguniang Panlalawigan in yesterday’s (August 7) regular session passed Resolution No. 2K8-472 supporting the sentiments of its constituencies, who have already rejected the inclusion of Zamboanga del Sur to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in 2001 and now bothered by the concealment of a MOA on ancestral domain which listed 7 barangays in Dinas town of this province as among the 712 villages identified to be under MILF’s proposed Bangsamoro Juridical Entity.

It was Board Member Ernesto Mondarte who opened up the issue through a privilege speech which reaped overwhelming support from his colleagues.

Mondarte thanked North Cotabato Vice Governor Manny Piñol and Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat who were quick to secure a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) from the Supreme Court before the MOA was set to be signed last July 24 in Malaysia.

Board Member Baldomero Fernandez collaborated Mondarte’s apprehension and said: “…there seems to be a wedge that has been placed among us – the government and the settlers. If we do not be cautious about this we will end up divided…because to me no Christian for that matter especially warriors like General Esperon would want to sell this country to the dogs.”

“We will take a position as far as our province is concerned and we should never surrender any part of Zamboanga del Sur to any illegitimate claimant,” he stressed.

Board Member Juan Regala said that he is more concerned because he read in the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Aug. 5 issue) that barangays: Tarakan, Pisaan Migpulaw, Locuban, Nian, Songayan and Sambulawan, all of Dinas municipality are listed as among those that shall be part of the Bangsamoro territory.

Like Piñol, Zamboanga del Sur officials do not have a copy of the MOA for Regala to sponsor the incidental Resolution No. 2K8-473 requesting the GOP panel led by retired general Rodolfo Garcia to furnish them a copy of the MOA.

Moreover, Board Member Eriberto Sumalinog commented that “this is the result of not allowing a Mindanaoan to represent in the panel of negotiators.” Resolution No. 2K8-744 was also passed requesting Malacañang to include in the negotiating panel who could speak in behalf of the affected areas.

The body agreed to furnish copies of the resolutions to President Gloria Arroyo, the GOP-MILF peace process committee, Congress, and the Supreme Court.

Last update: 12-08-2008 22:39