MILF urges political candidates to include peace process in platform of govt

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 3): MILF urges political candidates to include peace process in platform of govt

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Wednesday urged local and national candidates to support the government and MILF peace process.

"Please make it your priority issues during the campaign period," Mohaqher Iqbal, MILF chief negotiator, said in a radio interview.

Iqbal said a lot of politicians have been wooing the MILF for support in the 2013 midterm balloting.

The MILF, as an organization, maintains its policy of not endorsing any candidate in Philippine elections but would not prevent its members from participating in the elections.

According to Iqbal, the MILF will support candidates who will also support or have been supporting the GPH-MILF peace process.

Iqbal assures the MILF will not require candidates, local or national, to pay campaign fee if they conduct campaign sorties in MILF identified territories.

"Anyone who supports the Mindanao peace process will also get support from the MILF," he said.

He said the MILF leadership does not encourage its members to participate in the elections but would not prevent its members from supporting politicians in their individual capacity because that is their right.

He said the MILF's interest is the success of the peace process and the rebel organization will extend a helping hand for the success of the elections.

Iqbal also assured the government that the MILF will help ensure a peaceful and orderly elections in areas where they have sizable forces.

"In cooperation with the government and its military and police units, the MILF will help ensure SAFE or Safe and Fair Elections," Iqbal said in another statement.

Iqbal, who also chairs the Transition Commission, said the MILF supports peaceful and clean elections for it will benefit the Bangsamoro and the people.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=512684