MNLF vows peaceful coexistence in Northern Mindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 18): MNLF vows peaceful coexistence in Northern Mindanao

The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Northern Mindanao has vowed to peacefully coexist with the people in the region, an MNLF official said Thursday.

Sammy Tagalog, head of the MNLF regional command in Northern Mindanao, Davao, and the Caraga Region, said that the local MNLF has no plan to sow terror in the region following the arrest of the MNLF lawyer Ely Pamatong.

Pamatong is the leader of USAFFE, a group tagged by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) as behind the alleged bomb plot of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and the Chinese Embassy in Manila.

Before his arrest in Manila last week, Pamatong was at the headquarters of the USA Freedom Fighters of the East (USAFFE) in Gusa, Cagayan De Oro City.

Tagalog said that MNLF presence at the USAFFE headquarters was only to respond to the request of Pamatong to secure the area.

“We are now living peacefully since we are engaged in livelihood which was granted by the government after the GRP and the MNLF signed a peace treaty during the Ramos administration in 1996,” Tagalog said.

The local police force is closely watching the MNLF and the followers of Pamatong after local residents complained that he and his men have been harassing them.

A resident claimed that Pamatong urged them to join the USAFFE or vacate the place where they are now staying.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=685697