MILF, MNLF form committee on ‘unity, advocacy’

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Two days after Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim revealed efforts to resolve differences with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), both groups met in Davao on Sunday, October 28, to make this possible.

The MILF declared that the 3rd round of informal dialogue between the two Moro groups led to the creation of a unity and advocacy committee. More than 20 senior Moro leaders attended the dialogue, with the MILF represented by Mohagher Iqbal and the MNLF represented by Dr. Abdurahman Amin.

The committee is being eyed as a mechanism that would push for a common agenda for the Bangsamoro people, the MILF said.

Both organizations agreed that unity efforts should be pursued through education and the preaching of Islam in the community level, the MILF added.

The MNLF, which signed a peace agreement with the Ramos government, has questioned the Framework of Agreement signed by the Aquino government and the MILF, claiming it dilutes the peace process under the Ramos administration.

MNLF chair Nur Misuari himself has threatened to sue the Aquino adminstration in an international court. He described the MILF peace deal as a recipe for war.

But Murad clarified that the Framework Agreement is not just an agreement with the MILF but is an all-inclusive deal that would help bring about development in the war-torn region.

To continue the dialogues, the MILF said both sides created an ad hoc joint secretariat.

Last Saturday, Murad invited the MNLF and other Moro groups that “harbor reservations” toward the Framework Agreement to join the peace process and move forward.

“Our main task right now is to rebuild our nation,” Murad said.

Impractical to merge

However, Murad said it would be difficult to even consider merging both groups at this point.

“It would be very impractical to merge. Both groups have their own dynamics. And this would displace the structure of both groups and the personalities in it,” Murad added. The MILF broke away from the MNLF under the Marcos government.

Murad said another factor that would complicate a merger is the existence of splinter groups and factions within the MNLF.

“What is important right now is that we should move in a parallel direction,” Murad said.

Under the Marcos regime, the MILF, led by the late Hashim Salamat, splintered from the MNLF after serious disagreements with Misuari. – Rappler.com