MNLF-Sema wing affirms loyalty to 1996 GPH-MNLF final peace accord

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 9): MNLF-Sema wing affirms loyalty to 1996 GPH-MNLF final peace accord

Followers of the Moro National Liberation Front–Executive Council of 15 (MNLF-EC15) chaired by Muslimin Sema is upholding the 1996 final peace agreement it forged with the government, and nixed any violent actions to overstate their sentiments before the public.

The Sema faction’s stand came on Monday amid the continuing street gun battle between government troopers and MNLF forces loyal to Nur Misuari in Zamboanga City that has so far killed three and wounded 10 others.

“We continue to stand our commitment by the government-MNLF 1996 final peace agreement as we would also like to stress that we have nothing to do with the attack in Zamboanga launched by our comrades loyal to Chairman Nur,” said Romy Sema, head of the MNLF–EC15 secretariat.

The MNLF EC15 was formed in 2001 by a group of MNLF leaders who turned away from Misuari, whose term as governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) following the 1996 peace pact was riddled with graft and corruption.

Misuari, thereafter, led a short-lived rebellion against the government and was arrested for illegal entry in neighboring Malaysia some two months after.

Misuari was extradited back to the Philippines where he faced the rebellion charges against him.

During the period, the MNLF-EC15 took over the MNLF leadership as Misuari was made political prisoner under the former administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The pro-Misuari MNLF faction laid low from 2001 until his comeback in 2010 where he once more assembled his loyal forces in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi until his separatist declaration of independence late last month.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=563704