MNLF wants to have dialogue through CHR

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 12): MNLF wants to have dialogue through CHR

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Thursday said that emissary of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Nur Misuari faction is reaching out to open a dialogue hoping to end hostilities in Zamboanga City.

CHR Chairperson Etta Rosales told reporters in an interview at the sideline of Congressional briefing on the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture that the emissary was saying that they already approached CHR Commissioner Jose Manuel Mamaoag to spearhead the dialogue.

They refused to name the MNLF commander who was seeking audience from their end for security reasons.

“There are some MNLF people who would like to talk to the CHR, ayaw makiusap sa gobyerno so tumutulong kami,” Rosales told House reporters.

“Sila rin yon, and then some of them, yung isang leader nila, ayaw makiusap sa gobyerno, sa CHR lang, kay Commissioner Mamaoag lang. So sige, let's push for this at least for the moment,” she added.

According to Rosales, she already instructed her regional director to coordinate with Mamaoag and listen to what they want and relay the information to the central office of CHR.

She clarified that they do not want to glamorize the situation claiming that within their system, they can handle the situation.

“And I know for a fact that the government has a policy to review the 1996 peace agreement in order to update it and to reintegrate it into the Bangsamoro framework. And I think that it should be undertaken as soon as possible,” Rosales pointed out.

When ask about her reaction on the ongoing atrocities in Zamboanga City, she said that she already came up with a statement Condemning the acts of violence.

“They have committed violations of international humanitarian law. They have in fact negotiated with peace agreement, forged a peace agreement with the government. Why are they behaving like rebels? If they have grievances against the government, or the way the peace agreement--eh ang tagal na non, 1996 pa yon diba--they should discuss this sa government system because they are already part of the government," Rosales emphasized.

She said that if MNLF feel “they think there should be reform with the peace agreement then they should engage government for this kind.”

Those who have committed human rights violations on international humanitarian law, she said should in fact be addressed by government agencies.

“Paralyzed ang transportation. The right to food paralisado dahil walang pagkain, walang mga stores. Ang dami ng mga naparalisang aktibidad ng syudad. Those are gross human rights violations against the people, kailangang harapin nila yan,” she stressed.

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