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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
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