Has Nur Misuari been replaced as MNLF chairman?

From InterAksyon (Mar 18): Has Nur Misuari been replaced as MNLF chairman?

Has Moro rebel leader Nur Misuari been replaced as chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)? According to a story posted on the Zamboanga Today website Monday, Datu Hadji Abul Khayr Alonto, “the legitimate MNLF vice chairman,” succeeds Misuari as the new chairman of the MNLF Central Committee.

However, the MNLF website on Tuesday, carried a message from Misuari on the 46th year of the Jabidah massacre. He signed it as chairman of the Central Committee of the MNLF.

In its story, Zamboanga Today cited luwaran.com, the website of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which split from the MNLF and now set to sign its own comprehensive peace agreement with the Philippine government.

“The pioneers of the Bangsamoro struggle, the surviving MNLF FF90 (Freedom Fighters) have recently signed Resolution No. 01-2014, a Resolution of Unity,” the report said.

The resolution noted that of the 90 original MNLF founders, only “39 are left and 33 have resounded themselves through this manifesto calling for peace and justice in Mindanao and elected Datu Abulkhayr Alonto as new chairman of the group to replace Nur Misuari.”

“By virtue of law of succession and the noble covenant of the Original MNLF Central Committee, we have obliged MNLF Vice Chairman Datu Hajji Abulkhayr D. Alonto, to assume the MNLF Chairmanship,” the resolution read.

The resolution was also an expression of MNLF’s support for the GPH-MILF Framework Agreement for the Bangsamoro and for the Transition Commission which is crafting of the Basic Law for the establishment of the Bangsamoro State in Muslim Mindanao.

According to the report, the resolution was crafted and signed on the 3 February 2014, at the “MNLF-LAM ALIF Lama Maradeka, Kuta Marawi, Buadi Sa Kayo, Islamic City of Marawi.” Members of the “FF 90 AB’20, FF 90 CD’21, FF 90 H’14, and top 91 Brother Abdullah (Al) Camlian” signed it.

Who is Alonto?

Alonto is said to be a leading figure in the Top 90 batch of the MNLF.

According to the report, “Alonto of the Triumvirate of 1964” organized the Youth Wing of the Moro Malay Muslim Movement in the Middle East and the Philippines. As founding leader of the MNLF, Alonto also participated in the 1965 Covenant of Jabbal Noor, Makkah Al-Mukarramah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The same report said Alonto signed the resolution “in conformity with and acceptance of his selection.” It did not say if Misuari signed it as well.

Misuari criticized

The resolution also mentioned Misuari’s “unfortunate blunders (that) hauled down the MNLF into an abyss of leadership crisis, and its lamentable fragmentation as well as the exodus of able and dedicated Mujahideen (freedom fighters), either into the Philippine government bureaucracy, or to private lives of seemingly but definitely unwanted complacency.”

“Without the knowledge nor the approval of the original MNLF Central Committee and their members, Mr. Nur Misuari veered away from the very principle that the group has sworn their lives for, when, among others, he publicly proclaimed Sulu, nearby provinces, the island of Palawan independent from the Philippine Republic with the inclusion of Sabah, Malaysia; and allegedly participated in the ‘March 2013 Lahad Dato Stand Off’ and led ‘the September 2013 Zamboanga City Siege’ that caused the loss of hundreds of lives and destruction of properties,” the resolution read.

The same resolution granted Alonto the authority “to initiate the immediate reconsolidation, reorganization,n and revitalization of the MNLF in consultation and collaboration with the MNLF Central Committee, the General Secretariat, and the Heads of the Higher MNLF Military, Political, Economic, Religious, Social Services, Tribal Communities, Women, and Youth Commissions.”

Misuari message on Jabidah 46th year

In the MNLF website, Misuari issued a statement on the commemoration of the 46th year of the Jabidah massacre, widely believed to have started the modern-day Moro uprisings in Mindanao.

“On behalf of the MNLF Central Committee leaders, freedom fighters in the war zone of Mindanao and the oppressed Bangsamoro people, we are again appealing to the conscious humanity of nations… join us even only with silent prayers and moral suport in the celebration of our Bangsamoro Freedom Day on this auspicious day of March 18, 2014 (16 Jamadil Awal 1435H),” the message read.

Misuari directed the appeal to the 57-state Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the United Nations, the European Union, and all peace advocates and humanitarian non-government organizations.

In 1968, scores of Moro recruits training under the Philippine military to retake Sabah from Malaysia were killed in Corregidor Island. They were allegedly killed for trying to escape the island. The late President Ferdinand Marcos allegedly ordered their training.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/82954/has-nur-misuari-been-replaced-as-mnlf-chairman