From the Sun Star (Sep 10):
Analyst: Isolation of Misuari in peace talks with MILF triggers unrest
AN EXPERT in Muslim affairs said Tuesday the
government should have not left out the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in
its bid to seal a lasting peace in Mindanao.
The Aquino administration is on its way of signing a final peace deal with
the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) but MNLF founder Nur Misuari said they
were not invited to the process.
Adding to MNLF's discontent, reports said, is the
government's alleged plan to abandon the 1996 Final Peace Agreement with the
group despite unfulfilled obligations.
"Why would you enter an agreement with a group
without informing or inviting those who can help in crafting a comprehensive
peace process? No group should be isolated," said Julkipli Wadi, dean of the
University of the Philippines Institute of Islamic Studies.
Wadi said the incursion of MNLF troops in villages in Zamboanga City could
have been the strategy of MNLF founder Nur Misuari to call the attention of the
government. Misuari declared independence last month for Palawan, Zamboanga
Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Sabah in Malaysia.
In a statement, the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID) said the
envisioned Bangsamoro region cannot be divided into MNLF and MILF
communities.
"It therefore stands to reason that the MILF and MNLF leadership must come
together to work for peace and development for the Bangsamoro," the group said.
The government belied Misuari's claims that it is bent on terminating the
agreement, which has been reviewed along with third-party facilitator Indonesia
since 2007.
"As far as the GPH (Government of the Philippines) is concerned, we are not
aware of any reason for them to claim that government has abandoned them. Our
aim has always been to complete the Tripartite Implementation Review so that we
can move forward with concrete actions towards the development of MNLF
communities, which we have already started," said Office of the Presidential
Adviser for the Peace Process Undersecretary Jose Lorena on August 17.
Sporadic firefights between the military and MNLF
members in Zamboanga have killed at least six people. Government work and
business activities in the city have also been affected.
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