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By Francis Earl A. Cueto, Correspondent
Newly appointed Deputy National Security Adviser
Luis “Chavit” Singson announced Sunday that he plans to have
talks with leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in a
bid to end hostilities in Mindanao.
Singson told The Manila Times that he would tap
his Muslim friends in getting in touch with the leaders of the MILF.
The former Ilocos Sur governor said he is
willing to personally meet with the MILF leaders, as well as with
members of the communities affected by the armed conflict in
southern Philippines.
He said he has a lot to contribute to bringing
peace to Mindanao, because he is “used to conflicts,” and he has
a lot of friends in Mindanao.
“I need to find a way to be able to get a
dialogue to be able to get peace in Mindanao, which is my concern
now,” he said. “I know a lot of past and present governors and
officials in Mindanao, and I will be using such channel to be able
to find peace.”
Despite the difficulties, Singson said peace is
“always possible” in Mindanao.
But he added that results of his efforts may not
be realized by the time the Arroyo administration finishes its term
in 2010.
“The opposition said that they would be the
ones to take over in 2010,” he said, adding that if that is the
case, “then we are preparing the road to peace for them.”
Fit for appointment
Singson defended his recent appointment, saying
he is qualified for the position because of his 30-year experience
as governor and his achievement of bringing law and order to Ilocos
Sur. He added that he was even once the chief of police in Vigan,
the provincial capital.
“I think I deserve the post, though I have to
say [that] I thought seriously first before accepting it since as a
businessman it restricts me and it affects [me] a lot.”
“They’re just jealous,” Singson said,
apparently referring to people questioning his appointment. “If
they want the position, then it’s theirs. If they can help, the
job is theirs. But if they will only add up to the troubles of our
nation, then they should get out of the country.”
“If they really want to help, then they should
not further worsen the situation of our country. We should do
everything to help our country for the future of our youth and the
next generation,” he said.
Singson told The Times that Executive Secretary
Eduardo Ermita had told him about the appointment, which was made
last week.
In fact, the new deputy adviser said he is set
to report to work this week.
But Singson said he would have to first meet
with National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales before joining the
government’s peace effort in Mindanao.
Singson replaced retired Lt. Gen. Pedro Cabuay
Jr., who was transferred to the National Intelligence Coordinating
Agency effective August 31.
Priorities set
Singson said he wants to focus on Mindanao,
where the decades-long war being waged by rebels has stunted
development in the South.
He added that war would not resolve the problems
of Mindanao. He said dialogues between the government and Muslim
communities should continue in order to bring peace in the southern
Philippines.
The former governor was the fifth losing
senatorial candidate of the administration’s Team Unity to be
appointed by President Gloria Arroyo after the one-year mandatory
ban on appointing losing candidates to government posts.
The others were former Senator Ralph Recto as
head of the National Economic and Development Authority; former
Surigao Rep. Prospero Pichay, administrator of the Local Water
Utilities Administration; former Senator Vicente Sotto 3rd, head of
the Dangerous Drugs Board; and former Secretary Michael Defensor as
task force head on the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal
3. Defensor has since quit from that position.
Critics said Singson’s recent appointment is a
political payback, particularly for his damaging testimony against
former President Joseph Estrada.
Singson had exposed Estrada, his former friend,
for amassing millions of pesos in illegal gambling bribes. The
former governor’s testimony led to Estrada’s impeachment trial,
which was aborted after the former leader was ousted in 2001.
Estrada was convicted of plunder after a six-year trial, but was
pardoned in 2007 by President Arroyo.
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