Dimasangcay Pundato

Dimasangcay Pundato (December 21, 1947 – August 13, 2020) a Muslim Filipino of Maranao descent, known to friends and kin as "Kumander Dimas", was former Moro revolutionary leader and undersecretary of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.[1][2] He served for nine years in the now-defunct Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA) under the Office of the President during the administrations of the late President Cory Aquino and former President Fidel V. Ramos. He was Vice Chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Chairman of the MNLF Reformist Group, where he negotiated with the Ramos administration in peace talks with Moro rebel front leaders.[3]

Dimasangcay Pundato
Pundato in 2011
Born(1947-12-21)December 21, 1947
Dansalan, Lanao, Philippines
DiedAugust 13, 2020(2020-08-13) (aged 72)
Marawi, Lanao del Sur, Philippines
CitizenshipFilipino
Alma materUniversity of Manila
Jamiatul Philippines Al-Islamiyyah
Spouse(s)Naima Macapundag-Pundato
Military career
Allegiance MNLF
MNLF Reformist Group
Years of service1973-1980 (MNLF)
1980-1985 (MNLF-RG)

Career

Moro National Liberation Front

In the fight against the dictatorship of President Ferdinand Marcos, Pundato led the Maranao forces of the MNLF from 1973 to 1985, eventually becoming MNLF Vice-Chairman in 1978. He also fought internally for reforms in the rebel movement. Among the three pillars of the MNLF, Pundato, the new Chairman of the MNLF Reformist Group became the only one actively engaged in the fighting on the ground while the rest were staying abroad and managing their forces literally by remote control.[4] In 1980 he severed his relations with MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari when the latter refused the reforms demanded by Pundato of the organization with allegation of ideological differences and a leadership style tilting MNLF to one-man rule. This led to the creation of the MNLF Reformist Group which he headed.[5][6]

As government official and the Mindanao Peace Process

Pundato in his long stint in the government became Assistant Secretary, Undersecretary on Muslim Affairs in the Office of Presidential Adviser for Peace Process (OPAPP) with focus on Muslim affairs, conflict resolution and mediation with Moro revolutionary groups. As Executive Director of Office on Muslim Affairs and provincial warden, he executed development management and resource mobilization programmes in Muslim constituencies.

Self-exile and opposition to President Marcos

During self-exile, Pundato and the MNLF Reformist Group met with President Aquino's late father, the Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr. in Kuala Lumpur. Believing in the reforms that Senator Ninoy fought for against Marcos, Pundato and the MNLF Reformist Group helped to fight Marcos' dictatorship. But even then after the death of Senator Ninoy on August 21, 1983, in continuing their support for his dreams for the country, one year before the historic EDSA People Power Revolt, Pundato and the MNLF Reformist Group signalled support and political cooperation with the Ninoy Aquino Movement in San Francisco, California and in the country. As a gesture, President Cory Aquino in 1986, tasked former Senator Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel, currently the DILG Secretary to convince Pundato in Kuala Lumpur to return and be part of her government. Pundato then told Secretary Pimentel to first convince other Moro rebel leaders, such as Misuari and Salamat if they would accede to the peace negotiations since he and his reformist group agreed not to become an obstacle to peace but was bent on heeding Cory Aquino's call for national peace and reconciliation.

Christopher and Ramon Carreon became instrumental in the back channeling for the peaceful return of Pundato to the Philippines. Early in 1987, Ambassador Pelaez and Ambassador Mauyag Tamano, convinced Pundato in Kuala Lumpur to return to the Philippines without any demands and conditions when he joined the government to support the return of Philippine democracy under the stewardship of then newly installed President Corazon Aquino, then mother of young Noynoy Aquino. As a regular Resource Person to the Peace Commission of Ambassador Pelaez he closely watched the Regional Consultative Commission in drafting the Organic Act of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao. From 1988 to 1998 Pundato was appointed Executive Director of the Office on Muslim Affairs where he had successfully institutionalized a system for running and managing the annual pilgrimage to Mecca Saudi Arabia. Among the innovations he introduced were: getting the lowest rates for the fare and quality accommodations in Saudi Arabia; Pundato was able to forge a strong relationship and raised the credibility of the Filipino Muslims with Muasasa or Hadz Establishment in charge of Southeast Asian Muslims.

Death

Pundato died at his residence in Marawi on August 13, 2020, at the age of 72.[7]

References

  1. MindaNews (2010-01-19). "Bishops-Ulama group was supposed to meet with Remonde". Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  2. Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace Process
  3. The Moro National Liberation Front-Reformist Group Archived April 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  4. Abd Samad, Dr. Paridah (2013-03-28). "MNLF had planned to deploy hit squads". New Straits Times. Archived from the original on June 3, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  5. Kurzman, Charles (1998). "Liberal Islam: A Sourcebook (Page 85)". Oxford University Press. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
  6. Jubair, Salah. "History of the Muslims in the Philippines: A Nation Under Endless Tyranny (2nd Edition), Chapter 8". Maranao.Com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  7. Solaiman, Taher G. (August 15, 2020). "Former Moro revolutionary leader, OPAPP Usec Dimas Pundato dies at 72". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
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