The local government of Zamboanga has strongly criticized the secretive programs being implemented by Presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles for Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels and their supporters here.
Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar said Deles, without informing
the local government, has since 2013 implemented the so-called “Sajahatra
Bangsamoro Program for MILF communities,” raising fears that rebels and their
supporters have encroached Zamboanga.
Salazar said there are no MILF communities in Zamboanga and
that local residents and village leaders are opposed to the inclusion of the
city in the proposed Bangsamoro autonomous government.
She said village officials learned of the Sajahatra program
through residents themselves.
“Barangay officials have been tasked to strictly monitor
their areas of responsibility for possible uncoordinated activities such as
those implemented purportedly for communities that are not recognized by the
local government,” Salazar said.
“There may be individuals who are sympathetic to the MILF,
but we would like to emphasize that there is no MILF community nor do we
recognize one in the city,” she added.
Civil groups and politicians have previously demanded the
resignation of Deles over the killings of 44 police commandos by MILF rebels
and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters on January 25 in Maguindanao’s
Mamasapano town where members of the Special Action Force fatally shot
Malaysian bomber Zulkifli bin Hir deep inside MILF territory during a secret
anti-terror operation.
Some groups in Zamboanga wanted Deles be declared “persona
non grata” for the secretive Sajahatra program here.
Salazar said Senen Bacani, a member of the government peace
panel, admitted that Sajahatra Bangsamoro Program was started in 2013 in Zamboanga City
“Barangay officials have a very important role to play to
ensure that all activities happening in their AOR are sanctioned by the local
government. Please be vigilant and report to us any and all activities similar
to this being implemented in your area. The city is not part of the ARMM nor
shall the city be part of the Bangsamoro,” Salazar said.
“The non-coordination of such activity has caused alarm that
led to anxieties and apprehensions on the part of the barangay officials and
residents where the project is being implemented,” she added.
http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2015/03/philippine-peace-adviser-criticized-for.html
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