ARMM Regional Gov. Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan arrives at the NAIA Friday from Saudi Arabia as part of President Arroyo's four-day state visit delegaion. Ampatuan took the opportunity to meet with officials of the OIC and IDB in Jeddah with the help of Saudi Ambassador Ameen Mohammad Ameen Wali. Regional Solicitor General Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, BPI Director Samson Gogo and other ARMM executives welcomed Ampatuan in Manila. (BPI-ARMM photo)

ARMM Governor Ampatuan arrives from visit in Saudi

Regional Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on Friday expressed deep gratitude to the warn reception accorded to him by the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Conference at the OIC Headquarters in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Ampatuan cited OIC Secretary-General Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanuglo for the latter's continued support to peace and development efforts in Muslim Mindanao.

Ampatuan, along with Secretary Jesus Dureza, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and ARMM Executive Secretary Oscar Sampulna paid a courtesy call to Ihsanuglo and other OIC officials on May 10, 2006.

Governor Ampatuan was met at the NAIA by ARMM Attorney-General Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, Bureau of Public Information Executive Director Samson Gogo and other ARMM executives where Ampatuan briefed them about his meeting with the OIC and Islamic Development Bank officials.

Governor Ampatuan, Sampula, Maguindanao Provincial Health Officer Dr. Tahir Suleik and ARMM Manila Liaison Office chief Moslemin Bansuan were among the entourage of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in her 4-day state visit to oil-rich Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Governor Ampatuan took advantage of the opportunity to meet separately the OIC officials and officials of the Islamic Development Bank headed by its President Dr. Ahmad Muhammad Ali and brieifed them about his development programs and reforms he is presently introducing the the ARMM.

"I was personally elated with the warm and brotherly reception accorded to us by the OIC secretary-general, His Excellency Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanuglo and I am happy that our brothers in the OIC clearly expressed their continued support to their brothers in the ARMM," Governor Ampatuan said.

He said the kind assurance of support by the OIC officials to the ARMM peace and development programs must be reciprocated with honest and effective leadership and strong support to the peace process being initiated by the OIC between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front.

During their meeting, Governor Ampatuan told Dr. Ihsanuglo that his administration in the ARMM is all out supportive to the full implementation of the GRP-MNLF peace agreement of September 2, 1996.

On the GRP-MILF peace negotiations, Governor Ampatuan said Dr. Ihsanuglo agreed with him that local government officials and all other stakeholders in Mindanao on the peace process between the government and the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front must be properly consulted before any final peace agreement shall be reached.

On May 17, 2006, a high level mission from the OIC composed of ambassadors and other diplomats will arrive in the Philippines to assess the extent of the implementation of the GRP-MNLF peace agreement. The ARMM is preparing to receive the OIC officials at the Office of the Regional Governor in Cotabato City. (BPI-ARMM)