Unite MILF, MNLF to achieve lasting peace in Mindanao

From the Daily Zamboanga Times (Dec 28): Unite MILF, MNLF to achieve lasting peace in Mindanao

A former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) core leader turned legislator in this province yesterday called on Malacañang to revisit, conduct assessment and evaluation of the Tripoli Agreement it signed in 1976 and the final peace agreement it also entered into with the MNLF in 1996. Rep. Habib Tupay Loong (1st district, Sulu) said the two agreements are very vital in the formulation of the annexes on the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement (BFA), now the government peace panel and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are working closely. According to Rep. Loong, the national government would have difficulties achieving real peace if the two agreements it signed are not fully implemented.

In a privilege speech delivered in the Lower House last Thursday, Loong said the Bangsamoro people believe that the Philippine government has to revisit the Final Peace Agreement it signed with the MNLF in 1996 and to fast track the implementation of all its unimplemented provisions in the agreement. This, he said, will put an end to the claims of the MNLF of the non implementation of some of its key provisions by the government on the 1996 peace accord. Also, putting an end to all claims of the MNLF will also allow the MILF to view much clearer, their position in their up coming peace deal with the government, he said.

“The Bangsamoro people believe that the government must first unite the two Muslim rebel groups by reconciling their separate peace agreement so as not to bring about confusion and animosity to and among the MNLF and MILF,” Loong emphasized. Loong expressed belief that the government peace negotiators will do well if they support the persistent call of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for the MNLF and the MILF to unite through the formation of Bangsamoro coordination forum.

Bangsamoro coordination forum is aimed to achieve peace and development for the Bangsamoro people, as expressed in OIC Resolution No. 2/39-MM Section 6 of November 15-17, 2012 Council of Foreign Ministers 39th session in Djibouti on the question on Muslims in southern Philippines. “Let us not forget that the OIC is our friend, partner and strong supporter in resolving peacefully the Bangsamoro secessionist war of independence and self determination,” he said. He added that it is the OIC that held back its pursuit of the MNLF for self independence as they recognized the Bangsamoro problem as an internal problem of the Philippine government and should be resolved internally.

At the same forum, Rep Loong also cited one of the 15 resolutions adopted by the recently concluded regional forum on the FAB held recently in Patikul, Sulu where it urged the government to consider the urgent implementation of the provisions of RA 9054 article lV of sections 2,4,5,6,7, article VIII sections 2,3,4, article IX section 6, and article XVIII section 11. The FAB regional forum was initiated by Sulu Gov Abdusakur Tan and was attended by Governors Sadikul Sahali (Tawi-Tawi), Jum Akbar (Basilan), Esmael Mangudadatu (Maguindanao) and top officials of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Nur Misuari chair of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and top officials of the Office of Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP).

Loong said these provisions of the ARMM organic act that he cited have not been implemented in full by the government which have created some skeptism in the minds of many of the people on the sincerity of the Philippine government to carry out its commitment to the MNLF. He also noted the none implementation of some sections of RA 9054 which is one of the most contentious issues now being discussed by the MILF and the government in their talks.

Another resolution Loong cited calls on the government to work for the unification of the MNLF and the MILF to achieve solidarity and teamwork for just and lasting peace and comprehensive development of the Bangsamoro people.

Also during the Sulu regional forum on BFA, Resolution No. 1-12 also urging the government to consider the urgent implementation of the provisions of RA 9054 article lV of sections 2,4,5,6,7, article VIII sections 2,3,4, article IX section 6, and article XVIII section 11, the lawmaker of this province said. Loong said these provisions of the ARMM organic act have not been implemented in full by the present administration.

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