JEDDAH, 30 May - Unabated poverty in the Philippines' Muslim south remains a major reason why extremist groups such as the Abu Sayyaf continue to flourish, Manila's presidential adviser for Muslim Mindanao Concerns said yesterday.

Why this is so is a question that Muslim leader Nur Misuari should have to answer, said Dr. Parouk Hussin, who is in the Kingdom on an official mission.

"Abu Sayyaf has increased its nefarious activities essentially because of the nonperformance of Nur Misuari as governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao," Hussin told Arab News. "It's purely a socioeconomic problem with stark poverty staring at young job seekers. That's how criminal elements have infiltrated into the outlawed group of Abu Sayyaf."

The Abu Sayyaf, based in the southernmost island-provinces of Sulu and Basilan, have been in the world's headlines again since they abducted three Americans and 17 Filipinos early Sunday from a high-end resort in the southwestern province of Palawan.

"I'm expected to be contacted by President Gloria-Macapagal Arroyo to once again facilitate negotiations with Abu Sayyaf," said Hussin, who negotiated with Abu Sayyaf at the behest of then Philippine President Joseph Estrada during last year's abductions of several foreigners from neighboring Malaysia's island resorts.

According to Hussin, Misuari has a lot to answer because despite billions of dollars poured into southern Mindanao under his term, there was no development at all.

Misuari was elected governor of ARMM and appointed chair of an economic development council in the south in 1996 after his Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) group signed a peace agreement with the Philippine government.

"Misuari is today charged with plunder, and his ineffective performance has resulted in the area remaining poverty-stricken and backward, and young job seekers turning to the notorious bandit for solace," said Hussin, who used to be Misuari's personal physician during his days of exile and later became chairman of the MNLF's foreign affairs division.

"That's why, 30 of us from MNLF met on April 28-29 in Manila and by a resolution formed an executive council of 15 members, all of them most senior members of the policy making central committee, to assume Chairman Misuari's powers," he explained.

The group gave Misuari the figure head title of "chairman emeritus." Misuari and his supporters refused to recognize the change of leadership, noting that even the influential Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) still considers him as the MNLF chief.

Misuari has blamed Manila for withholding the funds it has committed for the development of Mindanao, a charge that the national leadership has rejected.

Parouk Hussin's group said they have asked the OIC to recognize the change in the MNLF's leadership and they are awaiting the Conference's reply.

"Right now an OIC meeting of senior officers of member governments is in progress here. The two-day meeting began today and I was briefly there soon after my arrival from Riyadh," Hussin said.

Asked whether Misuari was present, Hussin said: "He might have been invited for this meeting as is the practice to send invitations several months in advance," he said.

Hussin, accompanied by Philippine Ambassador Rafael E. Seguis had a meeting with Dr. Abdulaziz Muhammad Al-Turki, assistant managing director, Saudi Fund for Development (SDF), during his two-day stay in Riyadh. Hussin thanked the Kingdom, particularly the SDF for its commitment of $20 million concessional loan for development projects in Mindanao.

"This offer will be utilized for the development of areas in Mindanao which used to be occupied by the MILF rebels, many of whom had been resorting to violence and crimes because of economic depression," Hussin said.

Al-Turki explained the role of SDF in assisting underdeveloped countries, whether Muslim or non-Muslim.

"SDF is keen on extending development assistance to Southern Philippines, where Muslims constitute 20 percent of the population," Al-Turki  said, and stressed that the SDF gave priority to development projects such as education, health and infrastructure.

Hussin is expected to call on OIC Secretary-General Abdelouahed Belkeziz during his current stay before visiting European countries that are helping the Philippines in its quest for peace with various rebel groups.