MEDIA RELEASE
June 15, 2000


ESTRADA CEASEFIRE CONDITIONS SHOW RIGID FASCIST MIND

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan today said the three conditions set by President Estrada for a ceasefire with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) shows that despite growing calls for peace, Malacañang still insists on pursuing its all-out war strategy in Mindanao.

"It just shows that his fascist mindset continues to be a major barrier to his understanding of the plight of the Moros and age-old problems in Mindanao. With this kind of attitude, we fear that we may no longer see an end to the senseless hostilities in Mindanao," said Bayan Secretary General Teodoro Casiño.

In a meeting with Catholic bishops yesterday, Estrada laid down three conditions before his government would agree to a stop to military offensives, namely, the MILF’s abandonment of its secessionist moves; an end to "terroristic and criminal acts"; and the laying down of arms. He also gave the bishops six months to convince the MILF to surrender.

But Casiño said Estrada’s penchant for imposing deadlines doesn’t achieve anything other than to heighten the animosity between the government and the MILF.

"It doesn’t address the root causes of the armed conflict and bringing about a just and lasting peace in Mindanao. On the other hand, Estrada’s deadlines only lead to the hardening of positions," said Casiño.

"Estrada kept repeating that he wants peace but it appears that the kind of peace he wants is the silence of a dead man," said Casiño.

"Up to now, Estrada refuses to recognize the legitimacy of the Moro people’s struggle against national oppression as well as anti-Muslim chauvinism. Our Moro brothers have been fighting for their land and their survival since the Spanish colonial period. Even if the MILF lays down their arms in six months time, if these problems are not addressed, younger generations of Moros will just pick up the fight," he said.

Casiño appealed to the Catholic bishops to continue working for a just and lasting peace in Mindanao and uphold the Moro people's right for self-determination. He also cautioned them not to be coopted by warmongers donning the mask of peace. ###