Creating a New Negotiating Panel for the Government for the Sulu Hostage Problem

May 15, 2000

MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 102-A

CREATING A NEW NEGOTIATING PANEL FOR THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE SULU HOSTAGE PROBLEM

WHEREAS, the hostage-taking problem in Sulu has taken an international dimensions owing to the nationalities of the hostages taken;

WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to create a new panel to address the situation and hasten the release of the hostages;

NOW, THEREFORE, I JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Philippines, pursuant to the powers vested upon me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. There is hereby created a new negotiating panel for the Government to resolve the Sulu hostage problem, to be composed of the following:

 

1.	Hon. Robert Aventajado	-	Chief Negotiator
			Presidential Assistant
			for Economic Affairs
2.	Hon. Abdusakar M. Tan	-	Member
			Government of Sulu
3.	Dr. Farouk Hussein	-	Member
			Assistant Secretary for
			Education for Peace Program
4.	Mr. Ustadz Ibrahim Ghazali	-	Member

 

 

Dr. Rajab Azzarouq will remain to be involved in the peace negotiation pursuant to the letter of the President dated 8 May 2000.

SECTION 2. The Panel is hereby authorized to take such appropriate measures and, consistent with the best interests of the government to agree to such terms and conditions as may be necessary for the expeditious and reasonable conclusion of the hostage situation.

SECTION 3. The Panel, through the Chief Negotiator, shall provide the President with periodic update of its activities.

SECTION 4. This Order shall take effect immediately. Provisions of existing Memorandum Orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with this Memorandum Order are hereby superseded by this issuance.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 15th day of May, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand.