|
Corazon “Cory” Aquino did all she could for the Muslims during
her term as president.
For one, who could ever forget Aquino’s
personal meeting with Moro National Liberation Front Chief Nur
Misuari in Mindanao, which she made to show that her administration
is open to talking peace with separatist groups.
Aquino also signed into law Republic Act 6734,
or the Organic Act of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, on
August 1, 1989, or 20 years before her untimely death.
The Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy (PCID)
said Aquino did not only show moral leadership, but also moral
courage.
The Bangsamoro, according to them, will remember
Asia’s first woman president for her attempts to reach out to
separatist groups in Mindanao.
“Her government, even when the talks failed,
sought the creation of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao by
enshrining it in the 1987 Philippine Constitution,” the PCID said
in a statement to The Manila Times.
The PCID also thanked Aquino for giving a strong
voice to Muslims in Congress by campaigning for Mamintal Tamano and
Santanina Rasul, who were elected as senators.
“And while the dream for autonomy remains
elusive, we recognize her genuine desire to achieve peace in
Mindanao. May her memory live on in our hearts and minds,” the
council added.
OMA remembers Aquino
The head of the Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA),
in behalf of the Muslim communities throughout the country, joined
the whole nation on Saturday in mourning the death of Aquino.
It was Aquino who created the OMA by issuing
Executive Order 122-A on January 30, 1987.
Undersecretary Datu Ali Sangki, the OMA
executive director, told The Manila Times that Aquino is worthy to
be emulated.
“President Cory humbled herself as she refused
to be president saying she is just plain housewife. God the Almighty
exalted her for that attitude. She became a great president,” said
Sangki, a former street parliamentarian.
Sultan Muhammad Fuad Kiram 1st also expressed
his condolences on behalf of his constituents in the Sultanate of
Sulu.
“President Cory is a democratic icon who
brought back democracy to our country that the whole Filipino
citizens including the Muslims in the Philippines who have
undoubtedly benefited from the fruits of democracy which she was
able to restore,” Fuad said.
-- Julmunir I. Jannaral And Llanesca T. Panti
|
