PostHeaderIcon Government calls for MILF ceasefire before GMA’s SONA



In a waxing and waning way of handling the Mindanao separatist movement, the Philippine government again suspended its military offensive against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF,) about 5 days before Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo delivers her state of the nation address (SONA) on July 27, 2009.

Spokesmen from the administration are ecstatic over the ceasefire which they believe will allow about 300,000 civilians to return home to their farms.

But the heavily unpopular president with a poor approval rating was quickly criticized for using the ceasefire to prop up her image---- that her handling of the decades-old Mindanao rebellion had significant gains and in the right direction.

To air their grievances, a 15,000-strong protest-rally are being readied by oppositionists from Manila and other provinces to complain against President Arroyo's final State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“It’s all media-hype. I’m sure her decision will not change the situation in Mindanao. Undoubtedly, she is creating a situation that is favorable to her SONA," Political analyst Ramon Casiple, executive director of the non-government Institute for Political and Electoral Reform. GMANews.TV (07/23/09)

Many observers in the protracted peace process are cynical about the outcome of the conflict. The question of sincerity hangs. They see the same pattern of political maneuvers and hollow claims of peace gains that aren’t far from why the Israel-Palestinian problem has not been resolved for many decades. (Photo Credit: Manolet Santiago/ Malaya) =0=

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