RENEWED FIGHTING IN SULU COULD
DISRUPT MAY ELECTIONS -- PIMENTEL

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Nene Q. Pimentel, Jr. (PDP-Laban) today expressed concern that renewed clashes between government soldiers and Muslim rebels in Sulu could disrupt the May 14 elections unless it is stopped immediately.

Pimentel urged the government and military authorities to look into the cause of the latest outbreak of fighting between Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front in Sulu, particularly the group of a Habier Malik, to prevent their recurrence.

Fighting in Patikul and other parts of Sulu is escalating. Parties to the conflict should abide by the peace agreement. Otherwise, war could lead to more loss of lives, sham elections or to military control of Sulu, he said.

The lone senator from Mindanao said the outbreak of hostilities was unexpected and very unfortunate because MNLF leader Nur Misuari, with whom Malik is identified, is running for governor of Sulu.

Pimentel said he has every reason to believe that an atmosphere of violence and fear in Sulu is the last thing that Misuari wanted because he is seeking the support of his provincemates for his candidacy.

He said the occasional skirmishes between AFP and MNLF forces in Sulu shows the fragility of the peace and order condition in the area due to the perceived failure of government to abide by certain commitments under the 1996 peace agreement particularly in bringing about economic development and addressing the acute poverty and joblessness problem.