Murad Ebrahim, leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), cast a ballot for the first time on Monday, hoping that the rest of Muslim Mindanao voted with him to establish a truly autonomous region for the Bangsamoro.
MOBBED A voter accused of casting multiple votes during the Bangsamoro Organic Law plebiscite is attacked at a voting precinct in Cotabato City. AFP PHOTO
Ebrahim cast his vote at the Simuay Junction Central Elementary School in Darapanan in Maguindanao’s Sultan Kudarat town, a stronghold of the rebel group. Supporters took turns shaking his hands as they greeted the MILF chairman, who arrived with a group of bodyguards.
“As a revolutionary, we are prepared for whatever scenario, as long as the democratic processes is conducted in good manner, without intimidation, without cheating, we are determined to accept whatever is the result [of the plebiscite],” the 71-year old rebel leader said.
“Now if the BOL will not be ratified, we will continue to struggle until the [peace] agreement is implemented. It is the duty of the government to implement the agreement. We are only a partner, but the main responsibility is with the government, they have to implement the agreement,” Ebrahim said.
Leaders of Cotabato City, Isabela City in Basilan province, and Sulu and North Cotabato provinces are strongly opposed to becoming part of the new Bangsamoro region and campaigned for a “no” vote.
The plebiscite is a result of the March 2014 interim peace deal between the MILF and Manila.
The rebel group vowed to surrender a third of its huge weapons stockpiles if the organic law was ratified.
Rebel forces have tripled if not doubled, and now boast of armaments, including anti-aircraft machine guns, B40 anti-tank rockets, mortars and assorted high-powered rifles, as well as an army of civilian supporters, many of them counting on the prospects of better life with the new Bangsamoro region under MILF rule.
The new region will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) created following a peace deal with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
Ebrahim’s group originally was part of the MNLF under Nur Misuari, but broke away in the late 1970s, and fought the democratic government for the establishment of a separate Muslim homeland.
Misuari eventually signed a peace agreement with Manila in September 1996 and after the accord agreement was signed, he became the governor of the ARMM. Despite the peace accord, there was a widespread disillusionment with the weak autonomy they were granted.
Under the peace agreement with the MILF, Manila would have to provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the south and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.
Grenade attack, voting delays
A grenade attack, harassments and intimidation marred the Bangsamoro plebiscite, however.
The grenade exploded outside the house of a judge in Cotabato City in Maguindanao province, and another was lobbed, but did not go off, on the roof.
Reports claimed the judge was a known critic of the BOL, but police said the attack that occurred ahead of the referendum might also be connected to his work.
Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde said the motive for the grenade attack was “something personal.”
A third grenade in front of a polling precinct was detonated by soldiers in Cotabato City, whose mayor, Cynthia Sayadi, had led residents in opposing the city’s inclusion to the proposed Bangsamoro region to be run by the MILF. No individual or group claimed responsibility.
In Isabela City, a pregnant woman sought police help after a man grabbed her ballot and tore it to pieces inside a polling precinct. She said the man was angered by her rejection of the BOL. The still unidentified man escaped after the incident.
In Marawi City, rains and cold winds did not hinder the people from trooping to the polling precincts, with some arriving as early as 6:30 a.m.
Sr. Supt. Madzgani Mukaram, chief of Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office, told The Manila Times there was no untoward incident in the conduct of the Bangsamoro plebiscite here.
In Kapatagan, the last town of Lanao del Sur towards Maguindanao province, Mayor Raida Maglangit told The Manila Times voters queued and left as soon as they cast their votes, to allow others to vote smoothly. “It is, indeed, very peaceful and orderly,” she said.
In Cotabato City, Mayor Sayadi told reporters some teachers who were supposed to function as election inspectors did not show up.
At least five dozen teachers did not report for election duty after receiving cell phone messages threatening them with harm if they went to work.
Voters formed long queues in front of Cotabato City Central Pilot Elementary School and Sero Central School where around 8,000 people had to wait hours before casting their vote on the BOL because the teachers did not immediately show up.
Several men, believed to be illegal or so-called “flying” voters, were mauled outside a polling area in Cotabato after being caught by vigilant residents trying to cast their votes.
Turnout low in Lanao Sur, Sulu, Basilan
Still, the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Monday declared the plebiscite “peaceful.”
Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said no major security issue occurred in the polling precincts, from the time the plebiscite started at 8 a.m.
Col. Gerry Besana, spokesman of the military’s Western Mindanao Command, likewise said the plebiscite was generally peaceful in the areas covered by the proposed autonomous region of the Bangsamoro. All polling precincts closed at exactly 3 p.m., Besana said.
Among the hitches were delays in voting, lack of transportation and delay in the arrival of voting paraphernalia.
Besana also admitted that turnout in the provinces of Sulu, Lanao del Sur and Basilan was low.
“Some persons also participated to help in mobilizing the voters since the common problem was the civilians having no transportation at all going to their respective polling precincts,” he said.
The Commission on Elections said registered voters in the plebiscite covering the ARMM territory stood at 1,980,441. There were 71,124 voters in Isabela City and 113,751 in Cotabato City.
Another referendum is set on February 6 for Lanao del Sur with 352,494 registered voters and North Cotabato with 286,867 voters.
Fr. Eliseo Mercado Jr. of the Institute of Autonomy and Governance, said that in three towns in Sulu — Luuk, Tongkil, and Panglima Estino — 100 percent, or more than 41,000 voters, turned out by 11 a.m. and voted “yes.”
The governor of Sulu, Abdusakur Tan 2nd, had petitioned the Supreme Court to declare the BOL unconstitutional, arguing that the 1987 Constitution authorized only one organic law for Muslim Mindanao, or the one that established the ARMM.
https://www.manilatimes.net/milf-vows-to-continue-struggle-if-bangsamoro-organic-law-is-rejected/500229/
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