Kato: No Plans of Disrupting Aquino Visit

From the Manila Bulletin (Feb 10): Kato: No Plans of Disrupting Aquino Visit

The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM) has no plans of disrupting the visit of President Aquino in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao which is scheduled on Monday, the head of the renegade group announced Sunday.

“We don’t mind it (Aquino’s visit). And we are not going to disrupt it,” BIFM spokesman Abu Misry Mama when interviewed by the Manila Bulletin.

The BIFM is headed by Commander Ustadz Ameril “Umra” Kato, who formed also the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) after splitting from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Malacañang said the President Aquino is embarking on a peace mission and wants to see for himself what government can do to help in the development of the strife-torn region.

His visit is historic since it will be the first time a Philippine leader will set foot on the MILF stronghold at Camp Darapanan in Maguindanao.

The President and MILF Chairman Al-Hajj Murad Ebrahim will be launching the social welfare project Sajahatra Bangsamoro (Peace Bangsamoro) at the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BMLI). Sajahatra Bangsamoro will be implemented in Moro communities.

An ally of the President in the Senate shunned critics of the visit, saying that Aquino is not stooping low in his attempt to meet with the leaders of the MILF in their camp.
“What’s wrong with that? If the President wishes to visit any province in the country, there is nothing wrong with that. He is the president of the Philippines, not just of Manila, of Malacañang, of the Visayas or of Ilocos,” said Senator Franklin Drilon.

The Liberal Party (LP) senator said critics must not misconstrue the Aquino’s action which is merely showing a different tack in achieving peace in conflict-stricken Mindanao.

Drilon said the President needs his team in Congress to push, as a pillar of his peace-making initiative, the creation of a Bangsamoro Republic that would take the place of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“The Bangsamoro Republic is one of the milestones in the framework agreement of the ongoing peace negotiation between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front,” he said.

He said it is vital for Aquino to have a majority in Congress for the remainder of his term in order not to undermine his ongoing efforts to bring an enduring peace in Mindanao.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/393442/kato-no-plans-disrupting-aquino-visit