Palace tells public not to be swayed by propaganda that might threaten Mindanao peace

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 9): Palace tells public not to be swayed by propaganda that might threaten Mindanao peace 

Assuring that the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will continue to pursue peace in Mindanao, a Palace official on Tuesday called on the people not to believe propaganda that might spark the resurgence of violence in the region.

Chairman of the MILF, Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, has said that Moro rebels are being recruited by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) to establish a stronghold in the region, as the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law remains uncertain.

Commenting on Murad's statement, Communication Secretary Sonny Coloma, Jr. said the MILF leader is airing his views about the non-passage of the BBL, which might result in restiveness among MILF combatants.

"Kaya’t sinabi niya (Murad) na mainam na patuloy na itaguyod natin ang prosesong pang-kapayapaan dahil ang ligalig, agam-agam, o ang alinlangan — ay nabubuhay sa isang sitwasyon ng walang kasiguruhan o uncertainty na siyang tinutukoy ng pagkakaroon ng batas. Sa ngayon, ang atin lang sandigan sa prosesong pangkapayapaan ay ang Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro," Secretary Coloma said during a media briefing in Malacañang.

Representatives of the Philippine government and the MILF met in Malaysia and agreed to observe all the major agreements to ensure peace and stability in Mindanao until 2017, including the ceasefire mechanism and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group, he said.

Coloma said that despite the Congress’ failure to pass the BBL, both sides remain committed to pushing peace in Mindanao.

"Nakikita naman natin na buo ang pagtitiwala sa isa’t isa ng magkabilang panig, buo ang pagsisikap na ipagpatuloy ang prosesong pangkapayapaan, kaya’t siguro mas mainam na ‘yon ang pagtuunan natin ng pansin at huwag tayong padadala sa propaganda ng mga nais lumikha ng ligalig," he said.

He also maintained that there is no operational link between the Maute group in Lanao del Sur and the ISIS.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/3001457431998/palace-tells-public-not-to-be-swayed-by-propaganda-that-might-threaten-mindanao-peace-