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Arroyo, Misuari To Tackle "Independent" Mindanao
by Kazi Mahmood for IslamOnline
JAKARTA, May 6 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Governor Nur Misuari, chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) said he would seek an audience with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to discuss his declaration of an independent Moro republic in Mindanao.
His declaration of independence has been severely criticized in several quarters with even his own movement seemingly divided on the issue as various statements made by several MNLF leaders condemned the move.
Farouk Hussien, of the MNLF's Central Committee, said the declaration of independence is a seditious acts and is in violation of the Government Of Republic of Philippines (GRP)-MNLF agreement signed in September 2, 1996, he charged.
Misuari, on the other hand, speaking through spokesman Reverend Father Absalon Cervesa, explained that the declaration was a consensus adopted by the congress during its 4th assembly at Zamboanga City on April 29-30, 2001.
In an interview with ABS-CBN Saturday, Misuari, who is also concurrent governor of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), said the declaration of a Bangsamoro republic is necessary amid the political uncertainty in the country.
"We don't want to waste time waiting," Misuari said. "If there will be no autonomy at all, perhaps it is better if we will proceed with our original demand for independence of the Bangsamoro people of Mindanao," Misuari said.
Arroyo, meanwhile, said she would ask Misuari to explain the declaration of an independent state with him as its "first president."
"We have called Nur Misuari to Manila so he could explain this thing," Arroyo said in an interview with reporters.
Misuari reportedly invited the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and other major secessionist groups to join the newly formed republic.
MILF spokesperson Eid Kabalu, however, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that his group views the move "as a potent force to persuade the government to yield to the Bangsamoro people's longtime demand for total independence."
Sources said that the declaration of independence is but Misuari's strategy to save himself from inevitable leadership downfall as many of his ranking commanders have already abandoned him, it said.
In April, 26 top MNLF commanders, led by Farouk Hussien held a separate MNLF meeting in Manila and came out with a signed Resolution ousting Nur Misuari from his post as Chairman.
The group also demanded the activation of the MNLF Executive Council to serve as the organization's policymaking body, it was learned.
Top MNLF leaders and commanders collectively withdrew their support from Misuari as leader of the Front.
Meanwhile, the MILF Jihad Executive Council (JEC) is scheduled to hold its two-day (May 5-6) meeting at Camp Abubakar in Maguindanao, to discuss issues and concerns affecting the movement in the light of the decision to resume peace talks with the government.
Expectedly, the final formation of the MILF negotiating peace panel shall also be taken up during the two-day meeting.
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