MILF belies arms build-up

From ABS-CBN (Feb 12): MILF belies arms build-up

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal on Thursday belied allegations that the group continues to build up arms and recruit forces despite the ongoing peace talks.

Responding to an inquiry by Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito, Iqbal said the MILF is now focused on the decommissioning of arms as part of the normalization process under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

''Noon po aaminin namin dahil sinasabi namin talagang nagpo-produce kami ng armas, pero ngayon dahil ang pinag-uusapan kapayapaan at pinag-uusapan ay decommissioning siguro, wala ng saysay ang pag-uusap na nagdagdag ba ng armas ang MILF o nagte-training,'' Iqbal said.

The government and MILF peace panels earlier signed the implementing guidelines in Kuala Lumpur.

The decommissioning process is the surrendering of arms to the International Decommissioning Body, which will assist in the “transformation” of the rebels to becoming “productive” civilians.

These arms should not be used again, even by forces on the government side.

''Although the decommissioning will take place alone, it has to be linked with other processes in the normalization program for the Bangsamoro,'' Iqbal said.

Iqbal, meanwhile, said he is not aware of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano's report that the MILF maintains a ''Bangsamoro Military Industries'' which manufactures arms.

''I am member of the MILF's highest political organ, but I am not aware,'' he said.

According to a report cited by Cayetano, the arms manufacturer is located in Sitio Katol, General. S.K. Pendatun, Maguindanao.

MILF academy?

In the wake of the Mamasapano clash, which left 44 Special Action Force (SAF) troopers dead, Iqbal also admitted that the MILF has no full control over its forces ''in the same way the government has no absolute control over its forces."

Iqbal, however, said that since 2011, there has been no fighting between government and MILF forces.

''This would show that the MILF has command and control, and unfortunate lang na nangyari ang January 25 nang magkaroon ng sagupaan ang PNP-SAF at MILF forces sa Mamasapano,'' Iqbal said.

Iqbal added the MILF remains committed to the peace process, dismissing allegations that the group is taking advantage of the ceasefire to strengthen its force.

''Siguro hindi ko gagamitin ang 'deny' kasi when you use the word deny, that is a negative affirmation. Ang importante kami ay tapat sa pinirmahan namin at we are consistent that whatever engagement with the Philippine government is covered by a mechanism,'' he said.

Responding to an inquiry by Cayetano, Iqbal denied that the MILF maintains a military academy in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

 ''Before, there was in Camp Abubakar, but now no more,'' Iqbal said.

'Eh di talo'

Earlier in the hearing, Iqbal said the MILF will become a social movement and shed its revolutionary nature once it converts itself into a political party, the United Bangsamoro Justice Party.

Iqbal said the MILF can only transition into a legitimate political party once the BBL gets passed in Congress and ratified in a plebiscite.

He said the MILF, through its political party, will still have to vie for seats in the proposed Bangsamoro Parliament, a set-up that some legal experts say runs counter to the Constitution.

Asked by Cayetano whether the MILF will embrace arms once again in case the MILF fails to dominate the polls, Iqbal said the MILF will accept the results of the election.

''Eh 'di talo,'' Iqbal said.

Iqbal believes that the BBL addresses the legitimate grievances of the Bangsamoro people. He said its passage will render the cause of MILF's renegade group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) even more illegitimate.

"Nakita naman natin na ang BBL na-address ang legitimate grievances ng Bangsamoro People. So kapag naipasa iyan, wala nang pwedeng lumaban sa gobyerno ng Pilipinas na may legitimate cause."
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/02/12/15/milf-belies-arms-build