Tribes support boosts Nur’s ‘Bangsamoro Republic’ bid — MNLF

From the opposition Daily Tribune (Apr 21): Tribes support boosts Nur’s ‘Bangsamoro Republic’ bid — MNLF

The Moro National Liberation Front’s (MNLF) pursuit for an independent Islamic state, through its Bangsamoro Republic, is gaining ground in various parts of Mindanao despite the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) between the government of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

This was according to MNLF spokesman lawyer Emmanuel Fontanilla, who claimed that more than 30 tribal groups in Mindanao, particularly in Davao areas, have expressed support to the MNLF’s pursuit for independence from the Philippine government.

“All of Mindanao, 36 tribes declared support, 60 percent of Christians composed the MNLF,” he added.

Fontanilla said the MNLF leaders are continuously doing the rounds in various parts of Mindanao to educate the people about Bangsamoro Republic.

“The people are realizing that if resources of Mindanao will be for Mindanao, they will become developed,” he added.

“We will continue reaching out to our people,” the MNLF official vowed.
Fontanilla stressed the MNLF will use all possible peaceful means to achieve its goal for independence.

According to him, said he is not aware of the reported 4,000 members of the MILF joining the MNLF ranks.

Reports showed that four MILF ranking commanders, each having 1,000 fighters, have joined MNLF because they are not ready to give up their firearms as stipulated in the recently signed CAB between the GRP and the MILF.

A Tribune source, however, said the reports are not far-fetched, citing the Muslim culture of bearing of firearms for men is given.

“For our Muslim brothers, having firearms is normal as wearing clothes... that culture is difficult to change,” he added.

The MNLF, under Nur Misuari, last August declared independence from the Philippine government and established its so-called Bangsamoro Republic in protest of the peace negotiations between the GRP and the MILF.

Subsequently, more than 300 MNLF fighters, led by Ustadz Habier Malik, marched to Zamboanga City last September supposedly to raise the MNLF flag but were prevented, causing a 21-day conflict that resulted in the killing of more than 200 MNLF men and more than 20 government security forces.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/tribes-support-boosts-nur-s-bangsamoro-republic-bid-mnlf