MNLF, MILF form alliance vs ISIS-inspired groups

From the Malaysia Business Insight (Jan 8): MNLF, MILF form alliance vs ISIS-inspired groups

PALIMBANG, Sultan Kudarat. – Two major Islamic groups which have signed peace agreements with government -- the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) -- agreed here on Saturday on a joint action against ISIS-inspired militant groups reportedly operating in the Central Mindanao region.
Officials of the two groups expressed belief that unity and closer cooperation could prevent the militants from penetrating Bangsamoro communities found in the “Biwang” territory.

Biwang localities are found in the provinces of South Cotabato, Sarangani, and Sultan Kudarat. The Biwang area covers the towns of Sto. Niño and Lake Sebu in South Cotabato; Bagumbayan, Senator Ninoy Aquino, and Palimbang in Sultan Kudarat; and Maitum, Maasim, and Kiamba in Sarangani.  

Mohaqher Iqbal of the MILF and Datu Muslimin Sema of MNLF announced on Saturday afternoon the formation of “Biwang Bangsamoro Unified Coordinating Council (BBUCC)” after signing a unity agreement.

Iqbal was chairman of the MILF’s peace negotiating panel and is a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission. The MILF and government signed a peace accord in March 2014. Sema, chair of the MNLF’s Bangsamoro People’s National Congress, represents one of the factions of the MNLF which signed a peace agreement with government in 1996 then under founding chair Nur Misuari who now heads another faction.

Among other attendees at the event held at the Da’wah Center in Barangay Malisbong were representatives of royal sultanates in Mindanao and descendants of Mamalu clan. Representatives of the International Monitoring Team witnessed the unitary meeting of the MNLF and MILF.

Under the agreement, the MILF and MNLF will conduct joint intervention measures, share information, and provide forces, if necessary, to prevent ISIS-inspired armed groups from penetrating the Biwang localities.

“This is purely an act of unity and cooperation between the MNLF and MILF,” said Sema.

Sema said the aim of the BBUCC is to ensure the safety and protection of the people against “bad elements” who want to sow terrorist acts in areas covered by Biwang.

Iqbal described the BBUCC as a “good key” to establishing sustainable peace and order.

“We don’t want the peace efforts we are forwarding with the government to be spoiled by the so-called ISIS-inspired groups. Everybody should be vigilant, including the MNLF, MILF and other peace stakeholders,” Iqbal said.

Former Palimbang mayor Labualas “Samrod” Mamansual, now a consultant of the Office of the President Adviser on the Peace Process, said he is planning to talk with MNLF and MILF officials of other provinces for the purpose of extending the agreement to other areas.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/mnlf-milf-form-alliance-vs-isis-inspired-groups