|
MNLF And MILF To Join Forces Against Philippines Regime
JAKARTA (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - A press statement released on Wednesday by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) said the movement would join forces with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to fight for an independent Mindanao.
The MNLF, which clashed with the Filipino army two weeks ago in Sulu, warned they the joint forces would resume hostilities if the government fails to implement next year the peace agreement it had signed with the MNLF in 1996.
In an interview with The Manila Times, MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu admitted that they have yet to talk with the MNLF leadership on the possible merger.
But Kabalu insisted that the merger is not a remote possibility since the MILF is a breakaway group of the MNLF.
At the same time, Kabalu said the MILF central committee issued a resolution informing the government that peace talks will only be possible if the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), or any of its member-states acceptable to the MILF, will be asked to mediate in the peace process.
The MNLF staged a complaint to the OIC in November arguing that the Filipino regime is not respecting the terms and conditions of the peace deal brokered by Malaysia, Indonesia and the OIC.
On the other hand, the Filipino army and defense chiefs have accused Nur Misuari, governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM),, of being impatient and greedy in his drive to condemn the Philippines government.
The OIC gave the government until the end of March next year to fully implement the peace agreement with the Nur Misuari-led MNLF.
Kabalu said the MNLF and his group might finally join forces if the MNLF abandons the peace agreement it signed with the Philippine government on September 2, 1996. Reports indicate the MNLF will only abrogate the agreement with the Filipino regime if it continues to ignore its calls for implementing the peace process.
This would force the MNLF to back out of the peace agreement and seek an arrangement with the MILF.
However, Kabalu admitted the possibility is still remote because the MNLF cannot force the government to implement the peace agreement as of the moment as President Joseph Estrada is facing an impeachment case.
Another problem that may impede the joining of forces of the two groups is that there is no initial negotiation between the two groups, Kabalu added.
The last time Misuari met Ustadz Hashim Salamat of the MILF, was last year when Misuari presented the peace agreement.
However, Salamat told Misuari that his group will have a “wait-and see” attitude on the peace agreement before making its move, Kabalu said.
He added the MILF would only return to the negotiating table if the OIC intervenes in the talks. Negotiation without a mediator is impossible Kabalu said.
|
