MNLF declares ‘all-out war’ against Abu Sayyaf

From the Manila Times (Feb 10): MNLF declares ‘all-out war’ against Abu Sayyaf

Sulu operations done in the name of peace and coordinated with government military
JOLO, SULU: The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) on Saturday solemnly announced through The Manila Times that, in the name of peace and following the tenets of Islam, it is now in a “state of war” against the terrorist al-Qaeda linked Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

MNLF has launched a massive operation against ASG in Patikul, Sulu. It will not stop the offensive until the terror group’s kidnapping and drug trafficking activities are completely terminated and cleaned up.

In an exclusive interview, the MNLF hierarchy, represented by Central Committee Secretary General Ustadz Ibrahim Murshi, told The Manila Times that time is up for the ASG. They should make up their mind about stopping their criminal, unIslamic activities and unconditionally release without further delay all their remaining hostages both foreign nationals and Filipinos.

Murshi said the launching of an all-out war against the Abu Sayyaf is in line with the directive of MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari to intensify the Operation Purging for Peace (OPP) in Sulu.

He explained that the OPP’s program is properly coordinated with Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and the local government units in Sulu.

He said, in fact, the other day he met Police Chief Supt. Noel delos Reyes, the regional director of the Police Regional Office of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO-ARMM) who arrived here in Jolo and briefed the ARMM police chief on the present situation of the war of the MNLF against the Abu Sayyaf.

Present situation of the war

As of Saturday, the situation in Sulu, particularly in the town of Patikul which is known to be the hub of the Abu Sayyaf here, is still very tense.

People have vacated their homes for fear of being caught in the crossfire of the gun battle between the MNLF forces belonging to the Asadullah National Task Force (ANTF) headed by MNLF commander, Ustadz Ha­bier Malik.

There was a firefight last Sunday, February 3, at Sangay village, Patikul, between the kidnappers from among the ranks of the Abu Sayyaf and the MNLF’s ANTF. Both sides suffered casualties.

Confirmed reports by reliable sources state that the total death toll was 18. Of these, 10 were ASG combatants. Many ASG men were wounded.

Eight were soldiers of the MNLF’s ANTF died and five were were wounded.

Ustadz Murshi confirmed these numbers of MNLF casualties.

All MNLF people now consider the ASG as a mortal enemy.

“We are now in a ;state of war’ against the Abu Sayyaf Group,” Ustadz Murshi stressed solemnly.

He said the kidnappers got rattled and scattered after suffering heavy casualties. As a matter of policy, the MNLF will continue to wage war, pursue the manhunt for ASG kidnappers for the sake of peace and humanity.

Asked by the Times when the war against the Abu Sayyaf would end and if there is any chance of reconciliation, Ustadz Murshi reiterated that the war will go on indefinitely as long as kidnapping still exists in Sulu.

“How can you reconcile with kidnappers who kidnap the innocent people in exchange for ransom money?” he asked.

Ustadz Murshi, who earned his academic degree in Islamic studies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, explained that kidnapping is anathema to civilized world. Not only that, kidnapping is a crime against humanity and inhuman in nature for suppressing the freedom of movement of an individual, he further said.

MNLF’s Oplan Purging for Peace

The MNLF secretary general said Operation Purging for Peace (OPP) is a flagship program of the organization. It is not a new endeavor of the MNLF. It was started in 2011.

As to the time frame of the implementation OPP, the MNLF secretary-general said it will continue to move forward daringly until all kidnapping activity in Morolandia is completely uprooted and cleaned up, Ustadz Murshi pointed out.

“This MNLF war against the kidnappers who are mostly Abu Sayyaf is just in the beginning phase and this will go on indefinitely until we have completely wiped out these kidnappers victimizing innocent civilians,” Ibrahim warned.

Asked what made the MNLF hierarchy intensify this OPP, Ibrahim said it’s no non-sense implementation has three prime and pressing motivations. These are “the pitiful clamor of the Moros particularly the families of the victims of the kidnappings in Sulu, the appeal and demand of the peace and human rights advocates domestically, nationally and internationally, and the mandate of Islam as enshrined in the Hadith of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him)— ‘Help [reform] your brother who oppresses by (preventing him from doing oppression) or help your oppressed brother.’ ”

Meanwhile, among the foreign nationals who are reportedly still in the hands of the dreaded Abu Sayyaf are Baker Atyani who is a Palestinian but has adopted the Jordanian citizenship.

Atyani is the Bureau Chief for South & East Asia of Al Arabiya News Channel, a television station based in Dubai.

Prior to his disappearance in the town of Jolo in June 12 last year, he was able to interview some of the Muslim leaders in the country. Among them were former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor Dr. Parouk Hussin; Dr. Firdausi Abbas, chair of the Bangsa Moro Party; and Hadji Al-Hussin Cluang, who was at one time the MNLF Field Marshall.

The other foreign national in Abu Sayyaf custody is the Japanese identified as Toshio Ito, who as reported in a Times news story to have converted to Islam.

Among the Filipino hostages who are still in ASG captivity of the ASG is Edmund Gumbahali, a Tausug who ironically hails from Patikul, Sulu, and should be spared by Tausug ASG members. Gumbahali used to be the provincial director of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in the province of Sulu.

http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/headlines-mt/41209-mnlf-declares-all-out-war-against-abu-sayyaf