MNLF to present ‘own’ Constitution to members

From the Daily Tribune (Jul 26): MNLF to present ‘own’ Constitution to members

An official of the Moro National Liberation Front yesterday confirmed that they will hold an “independence assembly” on Sunday but was not clear what the real intention of the Mindanao-wide movement of MNLF members is.

Lawyer Emmanuel Fontanilla, MNLF spokesman, assured that the gathering will be peaceful and in accordance with law.

“We will have an independence assembly on July 28. The assembly will be held in General Santos City and other areas in Mindanao,” he said.

“The bottom line is the assembly would be peaceful without arms in accordance with Article 2, Section 7 of the Philippine Constitution and the United Nations Charter for self-determination with UN observers around,” Fontanilla added.

He, however, refused to further reveal details of the “independence assembly” and its purpose.

A reliable source, however, said the MNLF leadership would be presenting its draft Constitution during the assembly, in an apparent bid to sever ties with the government.

But Hashim Hashim, chairman of the MNLF Islamic Command Council, branded such reports as a “hoax.”

“Brother Nur (Misuari) has just concluded a meeting in his residence and nothing was mentioned about independence,” he stressed.

Misuari is the founding chairman of the MNLF.

Hashim expressed belief that the “rumor” could be a form of propaganda or an attempt to sabotage Misuari by certain quarters within the MNLF.

The Tribune the other day reported the swirling rumors in Zamboanga City that the MNLF will declare Bangsamoro independence from the Philippines.

The rumors spread after the display of Bangsamoro streamers, flags and posters outside the residences of MNLF members and sympathizers.

The issue also cropped up amid the ongoing fighting between MNLF group and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters in North Cotabato.

The MILF is currently in the final stages of striking a peace agreement with the Aquino administration.

The MNLF struck a final peace agreement with the Philippine government in 1996.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), for its part, vowed to monitor the activities of the MNLF.

“As part of our mandate, we are continuously monitoring their activities,” said AFP-Public Affairs Office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala.

“We will only base our actions on orders of higher political leadership,” he added.
Malacañang, meanwhile, downplayed the claims made by Misuari in a letter to the United Nations (UN), adding there is no need to send peacekeepers to Mindanao.

This after Misuari said he had sent a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, seeking the deployment of peace keeping forces to monitor the alleged excessive presence of military forces in the region, which according to him, has caused panic and disruption of communities.

“What war? We’re having a war against poverty and the war against poverty doesn’t need peacekeepers,” Lacierda told a media briefing.

The MNLF is a political organization of the Bangsamoro which once took up arms against the government.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/17141-mnlf-to-present-own-constitution-to-members