MNLF, BIFF broach possibility of 'alliance'

From InterAksyon (Aug 16): MNLF, BIFF broach possibility of 'alliance'

The Moro National Liberation Front and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters on Friday said broached the possibility of forming a “political alliance” in their quest for Bangsamoro independence.

MNLF secretary general Ustadz Murshi Ebrahim, interviewed by phone, said, “It’s possible to have a political alliance with (the) BIFF. Our forces are former comrades and we knew each other even before.”

BIFF spokesman Abu Misry Mama, responding to Ebrahim’s statement, said: “It’s a very good development (an) alliance is very possible.”

The MNLF was founded in 1969 by Nur Misuari and waged an armed struggle for independence. In 1996, it signed a peace agreement with the government that, among others, paved the way for the establishment of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

In 1984, Salamat Hashim, who had broken away from the MNLF, formally established the MILF. The organization, which has renounced an independent homeland, is now in the final stages of forging a peace agreement with the government that, among others, would replace the ARMM with a new Bangsamoro juridical entity.

The BIFF, on the other hand, was formed in 2011 by former MILF commander Ustadz Ameril Umra Kato, who has continued to advocate an independent Bangsamoro.

On August 12, Misuari, who is opposed to the framework agreement between the MILF and the government and has often voiced disappointment over what he has called violations of the 1996 peace pact, was reported to have declared independence in his home province of Sulu.

However, what exactly the implications of his declaration are remain undertain.
Misry declined to comment when asked whether they support Misuari’s declaration.
“Let’s wait and see,” he said.

Misuari and Kato met in November 2011 in Maguindanao to discuss possible common ground on which their forces could cooperate.

Days after the meeting, however, Kato fell seriously ill and he has not been seen or heard publicly since, although his followers have consistently denied reports he is dead.

Mohagher Iqbal, the MILF’s chief negotiator to peace negotiations with government and the organization’s vice-chairman for information, agreed a BIFF-MNLF alliance is possible.

However, he did not make much of it, saying: “Let them face the consequences, positive or negative.”

It would not be the first time the disparate rebel factions of Mindanao have forged alliances with each other.

In the mid-1990s, the MILF, through then vice chairman for military affairs Al Haj Murad Ebrahim confirmed the existence of a “tactical alliance” with communist rebels and the then-fledgling Abu Sayyaf.

The alliance with the MILF was subsequently confirmed by the National Democratic Front and, at one point, was even formalized between the two rebel organizations.

Iqbal, however, questioned the timing of Misuari’s declaration of independence, which comes as the MILF and government are in what they call the “final stretch” of their negotiations.

At the same time, the MILF chief negotiator said Misuari’s declaration gave them ever reason to fast track their negotiations.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/68736/mnlf-biff-broach-possibility-of-alliance