MNLF plans to revive petition for Mindanao independence

From GMA News (Jan 27): MNLF plans to revive petition for Mindanao independence

Claiming the government has abrogated the peace agreement it earlier signed with them, the Moro National Liberal Front (MNLF) is planning to revive its petition before the United Nations seeking the independence of Mindanao.

“Para sa akin ay stupid step na you abrogate one agreement in favor of another agreement,” said Rev. Absalom Cerveza, MNLF spokesman, in a report on “Balitanghali” on Monday.

“Now we can pursue our original intention of decolonizing the whole of Mindanao at maging malayang bansa ang Mindanao,” he added.

Cerveza made the statement as the government announced it has signed the final — and most contentious — annex in the peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

On Saturday, presidential peace process adviser Teresita Deles noted the Annex on Normalization is the last of four annexes to the framework agreement on the Bangsamoro, which seeks to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The signing “paves the way for the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro,” Deles said.

The “Balitanghali” report said although the MNLF wants to achieve freedom through peaceful means, it cannot assure that an incident similar to last year's siege of Zamboanga City, where more than 200 people were killed, will not be repeated.

“Sila ang may magandang intelligence network. Kung balewala na ang revolutionary movements dito sa Mindanao, e di balewala. Tignan natin kung anong mangyayari kasi mahirap naman sabihin ko na kailangan tingnan kami ng Presidente,” Cerveza said.

In 1996, the MNLF signed a peace agreement with the government, but years later it claimed that the latter failed to implement it.

Unhappy groups

Prof. Julkipli Wadi, dean of the University of the Philippines-Institute of Islamic Studies, said the government should expect that there will be groups who will not be happy with the peace agreement with the MILF, especially if they were not consulted.

He added that the signing of the peace agreement is no assurance that the armed struggle in Mindanao will end.

“If the same conditions persist, I'm very sure there will be new Nur Misuari, new Hashim Salamat, new Janjalani, who will come forward to advance the struggle,” he said, referring to the leaders of MNLF, MILF and the bandit group Abu Sayyaf, respectively.

Sultanate of Sulu

One of the groups expressing displeasure over the agreement is the Sultanate of Sulu.

“The unilateral inclusion of the Sulu Sea by the GRP at MNLF in the agreement without consultation ay patunay na prejudicing the interest of the Sultanate of Sulu and its ancestral constituents, including the Christian brothers and the indigenous people,” said. Abraham Idjirano, secretary general and spokesman of the Sultanate of Sulu .

He said In February, they will be conducting an assembly in Zamboanga City, together with the indigenous people, religious groups, and other members of MNLF not connected with Misuari.

Malacañang, meanwhile, said it respects those who have a different opinion on the peace agreement.

“Meron pong mga ibang elemento na hindi sumasang-ayon, ginagalang na lang po natin yung hindi sumasang ayon,” said Herminio Coloma, head of the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/345771/news/nation/mnlf-plans-to-revive-petition-for-mindanao-independence