ILOILO CITY, Philippines, June 2, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – Hundreds of thousands of people from all corners of the Filipino Muslim homeland of Mindanao renewed their mandate to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to speak for in behalf of the Bangsamoro people.

The fresh mandate, effectively a major vote for the peace process, came during the annual three-day general summit of the MILF, according to the group's spokesman Wednesday, June 1.

Lawyer Eid Kabalu told IslamOnline.net that the summit have resoundingly confirmed and renewed the mandate of the MILF as their legitimate representative in the negotiation with the Philippine government aimed
at ending more than three decades of conflict.

Silvestre Afable Jr., chief government negotiator, announced Wednesday that peace is near in Mindanao, citing the agreement on major points on the issue of ancestral domain and the absence of any skirmish. He also commended the Bangsamoro people for showing support to the peace talks during the recently held summit.

No declaration or resolution was signed by those present in the three-day summit that ended Tuesday, May 31, in Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao
province. They, however, applauded and cheered speeches that spoke of achieving peace, justice and freedom for the Bangsamoro. The thunderous applause was their way of anointing or approving what they were
told of.

Kabalu, the MILF spokesman, said the overwhelming support gave strength to MILF negotiators. And they will bring this new mandate and confidence when the next round of talks resume in Malaysia next month.

The outpouring presence of the Bangsamoro, Kabalu added, means they continue to rely on the MILF to realize their aspirations for justice, self-determination, and freedom.

Overwhelmingly applauded was the speech of the MILF leader, Ebrahim Murad, who said the people went there to reconfirm and renew the mandate of the MILF as their legitimate representative in the current peace talks vis-Ã -vis the Government of the Republic of the Philippines.

"Our legitimate aspiration for a rightful place in our society has once again assumed its proper shape," Murad told the crowd.

"Our life-long dream to establish and develop our homeland as a permanent legacy to the next generation of Bangsamoro people, and the generation after that, which they can call their own, will soon insha' Allah (god Willing) become a reality."

Atty. Beverly Selim Musni, of the Initiatives for Peace in Mindanao, told IslamOnline.net Wednesday, that MILF has again established its
authority to speak for and in behalf of the Bangsamoro people with the Philippine government.

"We are happy with the conduct of the general consultation. It is a welcome development, pointing out that we know MILF is sincere in negotiating for peace. We only hope GRP would show same degree of sincerity."

Amirah Lidasan, on the other hand, said, "We in Suara Bangsamoro [political party] are overwhelmed with the mammoth crowd of Bangsamoro gathered. We see in this the trust of the Bangsamoro to MILF. MILF has the credibility to look for peace in Mindanao."

The assembly showed the true color of MILF as the representative of Bangsamoro. The people trust the MILF, Lidasan, who attended the summit, told
IOL Wednesday, to fulfill their aspiration, which are freedom and respect of their basic rights.

Their group is glad, she said, because the sacrifices of the Bangsamoro fighters and civilians killed in the struggle and Philippine military attacks were recognized. "It means the search for justice continues."

Murad said 300,000 people were forced to flee to Sabah in Malaysia towards the end of 70s, 300 mosques were burned and more than a million lost their lives. Some 82 percent of the ancestral domain was lost, too. In the 2000, all out war against the MILF, 157,465 families of 827,629 persons were displaced.

Rep. Joel Virador, a native of Mindanao, agreed that the summit showed MILF has the mandate from the Moro people. Virador, who spoke in the summit, represents Bayan Muna (Nation first) Party in the Philippine Congress.

In an interview with IslamOnline.net Wednesday, he said the Arroyo government should include the conclusion of the negotiation with the MILF in its peace agenda despite its all-out war policy that wrecked havoc on Buliok Complex in 2001.

President Gloria Arroyo said Monday she welcomed and supported all peaceful, democratic and people-based consultations for peace and development.

"The nation gathers its strength from the diversity of ideas and aspirations channeled into effective democratic processes and won on the negotiating table
and not in the battlefield."

Murad, in his first public appearance since assuming the MILF leadership after the death of founding leader Salamat Hashim, appealed to "our Christian brothers
to cast aside mistrust of your Bangsamoro Muslim brothers and forget unfounded fear that your legitimate rights will be trampled upon by a Bangsamoro-led governance".

He emphasized the MILF will respect the dignity and honor of peoples other than the Bangsamoro people and expects the same back.

Murad further stressed that "no amount of offer to help develop our homeland or to grant the Bangsamoro political self-determination could make us compromise
Islam. We live for Islam and we will be most happy to die for Islam".

He added: "We are well-aware of the pitfalls of any human endeavor. As true Muslims we are ready to accept the failure and success of the peace process, and as our courage and determination have been honed to sheen by our bitter experiences in the battlefield for more than 30 years, we do not find any reason to slacken in our struggle should the peace process slip from our grasps.

"But I see no reason to entertain pessimism. I can say with an air of confidence that peace in Mindanao is achievable, insha' Allah."