Former regional governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Dr. Parouk S. Hussin Saturday appealed to President Arroyo to stop the ongoing fighting on the island of Sulu and, instead, resort to dialogue to resolve the root cause of the conflict.

Hussin, ARMM governor from December 2001 to September 30, 2005, visited his home province of Sulu last week and observed the suffering of thousands of evacuees forced to flee their homes and properties because of the fighting.

The upsurge of violence, triggered by the government’s order to conduct air bombing during Eid’l Fitr Day last September 20 in Indanan, has already claimed the lives of several Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) troopers, two United States (US) soldiers, many civilians and scores of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits.

As a sort of retaliatory move for the Eid’l Fitr Day military assault, a group of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members led by Ustadhz Habier Malik have joined the fray, attacking various government positions.

Hussin, a senior MNLF leader and with strong contacts with the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), said the conflict has got to stop since a military solution is not an answer to the problem.

“I appeal to President Arroyo, who has been a consistent supporter of my ARMM administration, to call for a dialogue, stop the fighting and give the many people of Sulu a respite from this bloodshed,” said the Tausug Moro leader.

It has been noted that conflicts could not be solved through more military engagements, he said, adding that “the Eid’l Fitr Day bombing might become a reason for Moro voters to reject the presidential candidacy of the administration’s bet.
Hussin was referring to the Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democratic choice of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. as standard bearer.

Teodoro reportedly ordered the Eid’l Fitr Day bombing, roundly condemned by Muslims as sacrilegious, to preempt the ASG from conducting attacks.

“The Eid’l Fitr Day government attack is considered by Muslims as a serious breach of the Islamic festival. Some of our people said they have relayed this to the OIC leadership,” said Hussin.

On the other hand, Hussin urged the President to officially appoint lawyer Nabil Tan as presidential adviser on the peace process and head of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP). Tan replaced Avelino Razon Jr. on October 12 but in his capacity as officer-in-charge.

He said Tan is highly qualified, knows the intricacies of the Mindanao problem and needs a stronger hand that a formal appointment can provide.