MILF to lose identity in 2016 with new Bangsamoro govt comes in : Negotiator

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 18): MILF to lose identity in 2016 with new Bangsamoro govt comes in : Negotiator

By the year 2016, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will cease to exist, a ranking MILF official said Thursday.

Mohaqher Iqbal, MILF chief negotiator and currently chair of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), showed to reporters how optimistic the MILF with the Bangsamoro government that will come out after a peace deal is signed with Manila and his group.

"We are very confident with the current Philippine leadership that the Bangsamoro political government will be in place by 2016, so there's no reason for the MILF to continue existing," he added.

"We are very confident our dreams will be realized," he added.

Iqbal said the MILF is convinced on the sincerity of the Aquino administration thus its leaders remain very optimistic amid some obstacles along the way leading to the establishment of Bangsamoro government.

Without explicitly saying the MILF will disband, Iqbal hinted that the MILF will lost its identity when the Bangsamoro government it has been fighting for is already at hand.

His vision complemented the position of peace stakeholders in Mindanao who remained positive and patient on the progress of the GPH-MILF talks.

Iqbal said "all roads lead to that direction," referring to the establishment of a new political government in Muslim Mindanao.

“Even the panels have a positive attitude on the matter, as peace is the only way we should do it,” he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=577647