Lawmakers seek measures to end hostilities in Sulu

Lawmakers are seeking drastic measures to end hostilities in Sulu and the possible release of Moro National Liberation Front leader Nur Misuari.

"At this juncture, they should declare a ceasefire or consider discussions of a possible release of Nur Misuari. We cannot afford a war among Filipinos," Congressman Imee Marcos told reporters yesterday during a meeting of lawmakers from the minority bloc.

Marcos warned that the conflict between government forces and Misuari's followers would continue if Misuari remained in jail or both parties did not declare a ceasefire.

Marcos is the daughter of Ferdinand Marcos, under whose presidency the Moro insurgency started in the mid-seventies.

According to Marcos, the government had already dismissed Misuari's influence since he was imprisoned for leading a revolt in November 2001 in his native Sulu. Despite his imprisonment at a police camp South of Manila in Laguna province in February 2002, the government is yet to put Misuari on trial for leading a rebellion.

House of Representatives member Satur Ocampo, a Misuari colleague from his youth activist days, said the 58-year-old "Misuari remains a key element in understanding and resolving the crisis in Sulu".

"Rather than isolate and gag him, it is better to hear him out so the public and policy-makers would know his views and consider them in the complicated process of looking for both immediate solutions to the crisis and lasting peace in Mindanao," Ocampo said.

Supplies cut

Troops have mounted a full-scale offensive against hundreds of rebels hiding out in the mountainous region, choking off supplies of food and ammunition in an effort to force their surrender, an army commander said yesterday.

Brig Gen Agustin Dema-ala, who heads troops involved in the assault, said the military is besieging the rebel group, which he said was running out of food and ammunition.

"We are blocking all places through which they can send supplies," he said.