Moro fronts call for unity among Bangsamoro people

From ABS-CBN (Dec 12): Moro fronts call for unity among Bangsamoro people

MAGUINDANAO - Leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Saturday held a unification and reconciliation meeting in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

MILF 1st Vice Chairman Ghazali Jaafar led the meeting with leaders from different factions like Abulkaihr Alonto and former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Assemblyman Romeo Sema who represented Muslimin Sema.

Although MNLF founder Nur Misuari was not around, Alonto said Misuari has shown and expressed his interest to join the unification and reconciliation.

The leaders expressed their optimism and hope that the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) will still be passed under President Aquino's term.

They will also continue pushing for the BBL even in the next administration, if it fails to be passed under the Aquino administration. They, likewise, are pushing for unity among the Bangsamoro people.

Jaafar said that at present, the Moro people are divided as some are supporting different leaders who have different positions on the BBL.

Alonto, a leader of another MNLF faction, insisted the MNLF is still one and that there is only one MNLF organization.

He conveyed his message to his brother in the struggle, Muslimin Sema, who also leads the fifteen-man Council. He also told Sema to find time and visit Misuari.

Alonto added they will settle the organization's internal problems and assured the public they can resolve it.

The MNLF Sema faction already expressed their unity with the MILF in the call for an autonomy under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). The faction believes the provisions not implemented in the 1996 Final Peace Agreement can be incorporated in the BBL
.
Alonto also expressed his support for the BBL.

The MILF and other MNLF leaders will continue convincing Misuari to join them in their call.

According to Jaafar, when Moro leaders are on the same track towards the goal of achieving the Bangsamoro government, the Philippine government will most likely listen to them.

The leaders also refrained from answering questions on who they will support among the presidential candidates. Dialogues between the leaders will continue as they call for unity.

 http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/12/12/15/moro-fronts-call-for-unity-among-bangsamoro-people