Misuari-led MNLF marks first year of Bangsamoro Republik declaration

From the Daily Tribune (Aug 12): Misuari-led MNLF marks first year of Bangsamoro Republik declaration

The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) yesterday silently celebrated the first anniversary of the declaration of independence by chairman Nur Misuari from the national government and the establishment of Bangsamoro Republik.

Lawyer Emmanuel Fontanilla, MNLF spokesman, said that the front is continuously winning the support of Muslim and lumads in its pursuit for independence.

“This is the day Maas (Misuari’s nickname) declared independence. The quest for freedom will go on,” Fontanilla told The Tribune.

Fontanilla said that MNLF members observed the first anniversary of the declaration of Bangsamoro Republik with an assembly in an undisclosed area in Sulu.

“We will continue reaching out to our people,” Fontanilla said.

Exactly one year yesterday, Misuari declared independence from the Philippine government and announced the establishment of Bangsamoro Republik in Talipao, Sulu Aug. 12 last year.

Less than a month later, about 300 MNLF fighters, led by Misuari loyalist Ustadz habier Malik, laid siege on several barangays in Zamboanga City, sparking almost a month-long armed conflict.

More than 200 MNLF fighters and soldiers were killed during the conflict.
The MNLF said that the declaration of independence was made under the authority of the United Nations General Assembly 1514 granting independence to all colonized countries.

Misuari’s move was also in protest to the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the government of the Philippines and MNLF’s breakaway faction Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Oct. 15, 2012.

Misuari also protested the plan of the Aquino government to close the tri-partite review of the implementation of the Final Peace Agreement signed by the MNLF with the government in 1996.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/misuari-led-mnlf-marks-first-year-of-bangsamoro-republik-declaration