Peace deal won’t deter secession bid — MNLF

From the Daily Tribune (Mar 17): Peace deal won’t deter secession bid — MNLF

The scheduled signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) between the government of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) this month will not stop the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) from pursuing an independent Islamic state in Mindanao through its Bangsamoro Republic.

The MNLF, through spokesman lawyer Emmanuel Fontanilla, stressed yesterday that the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), which paved the way for the CAB, runs counter to the Final Peace Agreement (FPA) between the government and the MNLF signed in 1996.

Fontanilla also reiterated the MNLF’s stand that the FPA was not fully implemented despite the termination of the tripartite review.

 “For the MNLF, the closure of the tripartite review revert back to their quest for independence,” Fontanilla said.

He said that the MNLF wants a third party, which it suggests to be Egypt representing the powerful Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), to go through the process, including discussion among the three parties before diplomatic disengagement may be considered in accordance with international tradition.

“The OIC is facilitating negotiation on the matter,” Fontanilla said.

Asked if the MNLF will continue its quest for Bangsamoro Republic, Fontanilla replied “yes through legal means, within the purview of the god given right to self determination.”

He said the Aquino government succumbed to pressure in implementing the FAB signed in Malacanang on Oct. 15, 2012.

“The government was pressured by their desire to implement the framework. The FPA runs counter to framework hence they have to terminate the review,” Fontanilla told The Tribune.

“It’s not fully implemented — no regional security force, no wealth sharing no government representation,” he pointed out.

On Friday, Secretary Teresita Deles of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) announced that the CAB between the GPH and the MILF will be signed on March 27 at a still undisclosed venue.

Deles said that preparations are now ongoing for the signing.

Fontanilla said that the MNLF considers the scheduled signing as a non-issue.

“The signing is a non-issue because the coverage of the struggle for independence is the entire Mindanao. It will be a positive development if there are areas which are near independence that will prepare them for eventual independence,” said Fontanilla.

“In the hearts and minds of our people in the area covered, their aim is to separate from the Philippines. It’s just a step or terminal for freedom and independence,” he added.

The MNLF spokesman emphasized that both MNLF and MILF members are wanting independence from the national government.

“The people — both MNLF and MILF, only entered into compromise, yet in their hearts is the quest for independence,” he said.

MNLF founding Chairman Nur Misuari declared independence from the Philippine government in August last year and established the Bangsamoro Republic with him as the leader.

In September, more than 300 MNLF supporters of Misuari laid siege in Zamboanga City after they were prevented from raising the MNLF flag at the city hall.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/peace-deal-won-t-deter-secession-bid-mnlf