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Philippines Starts Media Campaign Against Moro Islamic Separatists
by Kazi Mahmood
KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 (IslamOnline) - The Philippines press has started a media campaign strongly backed by Philippine military intelligence and possibly politicians linked to the army in Manila, sources close to the MILF said Saturday.
Several press reports recently have directly reported on supposed internal conflicts within the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). One such press report published by the Manila Times said that the a ranking MILF member accused Eid Kabalu, the MILF's spokesman, and other high ranking MILF officials, of trying to wrestle power from Chairman Hashim Salamat.
Kabalu and other members of the MILF strongly denied the reports, scoffing off attempts by the military to divide the MILF and rule Mindanao province.
Kabalu said in a press release that, "We cannot do that. That is not the way of Islam," adding that there were no internal conflicts within the movement and that the Moro people and international community should not be bent on rumors spread by the enemies of Islam.
The campaign was personally directed at Kabalu, a prominent Islamic MILF leader who, in an interview with IslamOnline last week, said that the movement desires independence and would not settle for anything less.
Observers believe the Philippines military intelligence is trying to undermine Kabalu by reporting that he appointed himself as MILF spokesman. Kabalu denied that, and said he was automatically propelled in this position after local media chased him for information on the group's movements after the initiation of the "all out war" declared by former president Joseph Estrada's regime.
The MILF seem to be aware of the media campaign against it and have said they would, instead, direct energy towards the peace process engaged with the current regime of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, even though they believe the military was more in control in Manila than the civilian regime, IslamOnline was told.
Political pundits in the Philippines believe the country's military intelligence is attempting to divide the MILF; and if they should succeed, Arroyo's government would have a strong hand in upcoming negotiations. MILF sources say the military is disturbed by the strong local and international media coverage given to the MILF.
It would want to see the MILF not given such coverage and that Kabalu be removed from the headlines. If that happens, then the MILF would be weakened, as it is difficult to reach key MILF leaders for comments on events.
The military also desires the MILF undergo an internal power struggle on the eve of peace talks, the MILF said they were told. However, they were also informed that any decision making process within the MILF go through its well structured central committee, scheduled to meet within the month of March.
The committee will discuss crucial issues affecting the separatist group and the efforts towards peace.
Kabalu confirmed in a press statement that his assertions were correct. "There has been no answer from the MILF, if by that you mean acceptance or rejection or the peace effort," he said.
"There has only been an acknowledgement by chairman Salamat that a letter was sent by the Arroyo representative to the MILF," he noted. "But only the central committee can decide on the peace talks."
Kabalu added: "You do not have one man unilaterally deciding on that serious matter. Not even Salamat."
While Kabalu insisted he was not out to wrest power from Salamat, he hinted that the coming central committee meeting could be a stormy one.
He dismissed speculations of a showdown, but insisted that all policies and actions would be through "collective decision and that even chairman Salamat would bow to the wish of the committee."
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