MANILA, 12 April 2005 — Mindanao is no Afghanistan.

Malacanang yesterday issued this statement as it took exception to remarks made by US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Joseph Mussomeli that terrorism and extreme poverty in Mindanao could turn it into the next Afghanistan.

“Such negative hyperbole to describe the Mindanao situation is out of tune with what is happening on the ground,” said Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye in a statement.

“We are making gains against terrorism and poverty every single day and week that passes,” he added.

Bunye stressed the US was an “ally” in raising hopes for Mindanao in its transformation from an area of conflict to one of peace, development and harmony for Christians, Muslims and the lumad (local tribes).

In an interview last week with SBS-TV Australia, Mussomeli had described Mindanao as “almost the new mecca of terrorism.”

“The threat is more long-term; Mindanao is such a lawless — certain portions of Mindanao — are so lawless, so porous the borders that you run the risk of it becoming like an Afghanistan situation,” Mussomeli had said.

The military admitted yesterday terrorist activities in Mindanao had reached “alarming” levels, but it dismissed Mussomeli’s suggestion that it could become another Afghanistan.

Brig. Gen. Jose Honrado, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said the government was confronting the terrorism problem as best it could.

“We view the situation in Mindanao as alarming, but not to the extent the charge d’affaires has been expounding,” Honrado told reporters.

Honrado said the AFP had also acknowledged the links between the Jemaah Islamiyah regional terror network and the homegrown Abu Sayyaf bandit group and “factions of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.”

“We never said the ties did not exist,” Honrado said, reiterating, however, the official government line that the MILF as an organization did not have links to the JI.

Enraged by Mussomeli’s statements, Mindanao lawmakers yesterday demanded the US envoy substantiate his claim or apologize for placing the country in a bad light.

House Minority Leader Francis Escudero wanted more as he asked Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo to file a diplomatic protest should the No. 2 man in the US Embassy fail to back up his “unfair assessment.”

“Is this the way the (US) treats a staunch ally?” asked House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao Gerry Salapuddin.

“Is Mussomeli saying his president (George W. Bush) was lying,” snapped Davao Oriental Rep. Joel Mayo Almario, ex-chair of the House committee on Mindanao affairs.

Salapuddin said Mussomeli’s “statements were in contrast to President Bush’s recent recognition of the country’s efforts at making the world safer with a series of terrorist arrests.”

Almario questioned Mussolemi’s motive, saying, “Is the US laying the ground for active anti-terror operations in the country or do they want to derail the government peace talks with the MILF set for this month?”

Anak ng Mindanao party-list Rep. Mujiv Hataman minced no words. “This is an irresponsible statement from a diplomat. He should lay down his basis.”

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Joel G. Virador said, “The United States is apparently hell-bent on portraying Mindanao as a terrorist haven to justify further intervention through the entry of more troops in the region.”

He said the US was “throwing a monkey wrench” into the GRP-MILF peace talks, set to resume on April 16, by tagging the MILF as a possible terrorist organization.

Mussomeli had earlier said the US was reviewing its list of terrorist groups but there was no specific plan to include the MILF on the list.