MNLF faction won't attend peace deal signing

From ABS-CBN (Mar 26): MNLF faction won't attend peace deal signing

The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) - Sema faction has rejected the invitation of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) to witness the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) at the Malacañang Palace on Thursday.

MNLF-Sema faction spokesman Romeo Sema said they are not ready to join the gathering since the government has not done its obligation to implement the 1996 Final Peace Agreement.

"The Central Committee has decided not to attend the signing of the CAB because the obligation of the government of the Republic of the Philippines to implement the 1996 Final Peace Agreement is not yet complied," he said.

But he clarified that they have nothing against the CAB. He said they even welcome and support the initiative of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) to link the CAB to the 1976 Tripoli Agreement.

"Kung ano ang desisyon ng OIC para sa mga Bangsamoro people, sinusuportahan po yan ng MNLF basta mayroong tamang mekanismo."

"We are just waiting for the schedule of the tripartite meeting, kasi merong tayong impasse na tripartite review on the implementation of the 1996 peace agreement," Sema said.

However, he said it will be a challenge to link the CAB and the 1996 Final Peace Agreement in terms of territory.

The CAB only covers 5 provinces and 3 cities while the 1976 Tripoli Agreement includes 13 provinces and 9 cities.

The provinces covered by the 1976 Tripoli Agreement include the entire North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat Province, South Cotabato, Sarangani, Davao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur and Palawan.

Its covered cities, meanwhile, include Puerto Prinsesa, Zamboanga, Dipolog, Iligan and General Santos.

"Hindi naman gaanong kahirap i-link yung dalawa... Ang issue dito is the territory kasi magkaiba. In the 1976 Tripoli Agreement, the Philippine government offered the autonomy to the Bangsamoro in southern Philippines and the territories were specified," Sema said.

"Yan po ang mahirap bitawan ng MNLF because that territory was offered by the government to the Bangsamoro people, nakasaad yan sa kasunduan noong 1976, yun ang ipinaglalaban natin," he added.

But he said whatever happens, they will stick to whatever order or decision the OIC makes.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/03/26/14/mnlf-faction-wont-attend-peace-deal-signing