|
MILF Says Independence Option Not Dropped
by Kazi Mahmood
KUALA LUMPUR, April 3 (IslamOnline) - "There is nothing in the Kuala Lumpur agreement that would suggest that the MILF have been abandoning its bid for the establishment of an independent state in Mindanao," Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) spokesman Eid Kabalu said on Monday in a press statement sent to IslamOnline.
Kabalu was responding to a report quoting President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo alleging that there was a softening in the MILF position with regard to its original objective of establishing a separate state in Mindanao.
The report said that the MILF opted to settle by working within the context of the country's territorial integrity. Kabalu did not deny that the MILF wanted to work with the Philippines regime to establish peace in the region, though.
Arroyo had made the observation after the successful conclusion of the Kuala Lumpur meeting on March 24th that led to the signing of an agreement on the General Framework for the Resumption of Peace Talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the MILF.
Kabalu said the alleged MILF abandonment statement had no basis in fact and in truth, adding that the Kuala Lumpur meeting was not a negotiation, but rather an exploratory talk intended to reopen the stalled GRP and MILF peace negotiations, he explained.
"There was however, a background statement of the Kuala Lumpur accord that could probably allow wide latitude of interpretations, such phrases as 'Determined to pursue a solution to the Bangsamoro problem with honor, justice and dignity for all concerned' could be reason the President believed we abandoned our mission for a free Mindanao," the secessionist leader said.
He pointed out that Article VII of the same agreement states, "The parties commit themselves to negotiate with sincerity and mutual trust, justice and freedom, and respect for the identity, culture and aspirations of all peoples of Mindanao."
Kabalu insisted that there is nothing mentioned therein that would recommend the softening or abandoning of MILF aspirations to have a separate government.
The Philippines press, however, is in jubilation over the possible non-independence of Mindanao, claiming the President had done a wonderful job in negotiating with the MILF.
Kabalu reiterated that issues related to the application of a solution to the problems in Mindanao would better be appreciated if they were presented and deliberated at peace panel level.
"Whether or not President Arroyo is giving such statement is quoted out of context, the intention obviously is to recondition the minds not only of the Bangsamoro or Filipino people, but even the international community," Kabalu charged.
The final authority to change or amend the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people to put up their own separate government is that of the Bangsamoro people themselves. The MILF have no authority to do it, Kabalu clarified.
The MILF insisted in an interview last month with IslamOnline that it would prefer a referendum and that it wanted independence of the territory.
Kabalu said to IslamOnline that the Bangsamoro had faced innumerable suffering at the hands of the various regimes in Manila. "Due to this, independence would be most welcomed and the MILF will fight for independence for the Bangsamoro people," he said.
In the present context of peace talks, observers believe that the MILF will be willing to talk peace with the government, but would not be willing to abandon their bid for secession in Mindanao.
But the MILF seems to have hinted that it might drop the secession bid.
Kabalu has said that they would eventually consult with the Bangsamoro people whether or not they still want to purse secession.
"We will consult our people because in the end, they will have the final say," he said.
He stressed that the discussion in the resumption of talks with the government should be "free flowing and talks should not be limited to the Constitution, and any peace pact must be a product of a bilateral agreement between both parties."
In another development, Arroyo, facing mounting criticism on her decision to allow Muslim rebels to return to their camps, Monday appealed to all sectors of society to "give peace a chance".
She denied the existence of any secret deal was made in the Kuala Lumpur meeting between the government and the MILF. The agreement was published Tuesday morning in Manila, thus outmaneuvering opponents of the regime who wanted a senate probe on the peace deal.
"Our commitment to peace - peace in our time - is non-negotiable, just as the commitment of our soldiers is firm," she said in a press conference at Malacañang.
"I call upon our brothers in Mindanao, let us give peace a chance," she said. "Mindanao deserves its rightful place in our ladder of priorities and only when peace descends on the region can we work to make its promises leap out from the blueprint."
|
