Mastura insists: No MILF support for my candidacy

MANILA, Philippines – The signature green flaglets of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) may have adorned about 4,000 vehicles that joined Maguindanao gubernatorial candidate Datu Tucao Mastura’s recent political rally, but he insists that the MILF as an organization has nothing to do with his candidacy. 

Mastura said the show of support from MILF members was voluntary. 

“It’s the people themselves who choose to have flaglets in their vehicles…not us,” said Mastura, who is also the incumbent mayor of Sultan Kudarat. 

The MILF has a standing “hands off” policy on the elections. Members have said they would not endorse any candidates seeking elective posts. 

But MILF secretariat chairperson Muhammed Ameen said members are free to vote in the coming elections and choose candidates, who are not hostile to the Framework Agreement. 

A candidate of the United Nationalist Alliance, Mastura is the brother of MILF senior peace panel member Michael Mastura. He is running against Liberal Party bet incumbent Maguindanao Gov Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu. 

Mastura recently held a “grand rally in support of the Framework Agreement” in Datu Paglas, where members of the MILF were seen attending the event. But members themselves have reiterated they are not endorsing the gubernatorial candidate. Mastura also said the same.  

“We are not using the organization. And as far as the Framework Agreement is concerned, one of the authors is my brother,” Mastura said. 

During the recent signing of the World Bank and the MILF in Camp Darapanan for US$7-million in technical assistance for the peace talks, MILF chief Al Haj Murad Ebrahim told reporters that candidates are not prohibited from reaching out to their people.  

“Politicians can freely campaign to our people,” Murad said.

Both Mastura and Mangudadatu have expressed their support for the Framework Agreement on the new Bangasamoro region that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. – Rappler.com