The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) encouraged people to take part in the discussion and support the call for an independent Mindanao as espoused by their leader Nur Misuari.
At least 2,000 MNLF members and their families rallied at the Rizal Park in Davao City on Sunday, many of them from out of town.
The MNLF members who participated in the rally were from Southern Mindanao, Central Mindanao, Eastern Mindanao, and Davao Oriental.
DAVAO. Moro women hold flaglets in support of an independent Mindanao during Sunday’s peace rally of the Moro National Liberation Front at the Rizal Park in Davao City. (Seth delos Reyes)
Misuari's declaration covers the entire Mindanao, including Palawan and Sabah, while Davao City was announced as the Republik’s temporary capital, as a permanent one has to be determined in consultations.
"We will not redirect the statement (the call for independence of the entire Mindanao); we’re placing this issue of independence in the hands of the people in Mindanao," lawyer V. Emmanuel C. Fontanilla, legal counsel and spokesperson for the Bangsamoro Republik.
Fontanilla said the MNLF has been long ago waiting for its agreements with the National Government to be accredited only to be given a note dated March 21, 2013 that all these things are implemented and these are all superseded by the Framework Agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The MNLF chided the National Government because the "Tripoli Agreement" has not yet fully implemented and there comes the Framework Agreement with the MILF, and then, another concern for the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
"Masyadong malaking insulto po yan. We've been waiting for 40 years for the agreement to be accredited only to be given such note. That is very sad. And so, we have this group declaring independence," Fontanilla said.
He said the call will be a bloodless revolution and bloodless undertaking to assert the independence from the Philippines. But if anyone will harm their brother and sisters amid this concern, he said they will no longer be sitting on the corner.
"We would just like to direct to the issue, all these things will be resolved by the people. Nobody in a political community can overcome the decision of the people. So ultimately, this declaration will be resolved by the people. I do not know what method are they going to use but definitely, the chairman has advised them not to use violence," Fontanilla said.
"Kami naman, we will be just guiding the people. We will be there to protect them. Kapag sinaktan sila, dyan na po kami papasok. If sakali pinagbabaril po yung aming mga kapatid, then we will use our arms to protect them," he added.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2013/09/01/mnlf-calls-support-independent-mindanao-300896
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