MNLF: MILF propaganda ‘moronic’

From the Daily Tribune (Dec 24): MNLF: MILF propaganda ‘moronic’

The Moro National Liberation Front has branded as “moronic propaganda” the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s pronouncement that the silence of MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari on the government and MILF proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) means “greatness in the offing.”

Lawyer Emmanuel Fontanilla, spokesman for the MNLF faction of Misuari, stressed that they are silent not because they agree with the BBL, which is currently undergoing congressional scrutiny both by the Senate and the House of Representatives.

In an editorial posted over its website, the MILF cited the silence of Misuari on the BBL. It said that while the MILF, which broke away from Misuari’s MNLF in the 1990s, does not expect Misuari to come out openly for BBL, his silence signals greatness in the offing.

The MILF also claimed that Moros in the island-provinces of the Tawi Tawi, Basilan and Sulu – all known to be strongholds of Misuari’s MNLF, have expressed overwhelming support for the BBL.

“That’s the most weird statement from somebody. We are silent because we do not recognize the process. It is the most moronic propaganda,” Fontanilla told The Tribune.

Fontanilla stressed that the MNLF, most especially Misuari, has not recognized the government-MILF peace agreement.

On the other hand, Fontanilla expressed no surprise over MILF’s citing of the significance of Misuari as MNLF chairman.

“That’s the undisputed truth. Nobody can deny it. Even the government deals with the MNLF,” said Fontanilla.

In fact, Misuari established the Bangsamoro Republik in protest of the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) between the government of the Philippine (GPH) and the MILF which paved the way for the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and eventually the BBL.

The BBL, if signed into law, would create a new Bangsamoro political entity that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) which was a result of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement (FPA) between the MNLF and the government.

In August 2013, Misuari and his supporters declared independence from the Philippine government and formally launched the Bangsamoro Republik. A month later, around 300 MNLF fighters laid sieged on Zamboanga City that led to a 20-day armed confrontation with government security forces.

The siege resulted in the killing of more than 200 individuals –mostly MNLF fighters, while more than 100,000 persons were displaced.

The government filed rebellion and genocide charges Misuari and four other MNLF commanders, including Ustadz Habier Malik.

Fontanilla pointed out that the MNLF would only get involved in a process facilitated by the powerful Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

Meanwhile, the political director of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Southern Mindanao has accused the military of violating its own ceasefire by deploying more troops in the region and hamletting civilian communities.

Simon Santiago of the Southern Mindanao Regional Political Department under the NPA-Merardo Arce Command (NPA-MAC) said “reports from the field reveal the duplicity of the US-Aquino regime’s one-month Suspension of Military Operations (SOMO) and Suspension and Police Operations (SOPO.)”

Santiago stressed that before the start of its own supposed SOMO and SOPO on Dec. 18 and up to this day, combat forces under the Eastern Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) continue to occupy and operate in many towns and provinces in Southern Mindanao and nearby regions.

These areas are:

 

Davao City –Mapula, Lumiad, Paquibato Proper and Malabog in Paquibato district; Dominga in Calinan district; Marilog; Salaysay and Tambobong in Baguio district;

 

Compostela Valley- Kingking, Napnapan, Tibagon and Las Arenas in Pantukan town; Panamin and Anitapan in Mabini town; Nuevo, Nueva, Andili and Sta. Monica in Mawab town; Cabandianan and Mainit in Nabunturan town; Palok, Mahayahay, Parasanun and Tandik in Maragusan town; Tagibo in Mati city; Kauswagan and Maputi in Banaybanay town; San Isidro, New Visayas, Don Mariano, Maragatas, Kalapagan and Marayag in Lupon town; Lapu-lapu and San Jose in San Isidro town; Casoon in Monkayo; Montevista; Sangab, New Visayas, Lapulapu, Teresa, Masara, Mainit, Panuraon, Elizalde and Malamudaw in Maco; Ngan in Compostela town, and Manurigao in New Bataan town;

Davao Oriental- Tigbawan, Binondo and Mahan-ub in Baganga town; Taytayan, Malibago, Bangas, Mainit in Cateel town; Catihan in Boston town;

North Cotabato- Panaca, Linabo, Kinarum, Bangkal, Amabel, Noa, Binay, Bagumbayan, Balete, Basak, Mahungkog, Manitbesa, Mamaling and Bongulanon in Magpet town;

Agusan del Sur area- towns of Dona Josefa, Veruela, Sabud and Kauswagan in Loreto town, and; Salvacion and New Visayas in Trento town.

“The continued troop deployment, build-up and hamletting in these areas belie the claim made by the US-Aquino regime in declaring a ceasefire during the traditional Christmas season. The presence of the troops in these areas does not appear to be risk-free, undisruptive or inoffensive, but comprises actual offensive manoeuvres within and in the periphery of guerrilla territories. Their blatant occupation of civilian areas while supposedly in suspended military operations is highly provocative and increases the risk of armed engagements with the Red fighters amid civilian-populated areas,” Santiago stressed.

In Barangay Catihan, Boston, 14 soldiers belonging of the 67th Infantry Battalion (IB) occupy the multipurpose gym, houses, and videoke bars, ad they intensify intelligence activities.

Members of the Bravo Company stay in civilian houses in Sitio Bangas, Barangay Mainit, Cateel.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/mnlf-milf-propaganda-moronic