MILF: MILF members in Sulu urged to close ranks

From the MILF Website (Jan 7): MILF members in Sulu urged to close ranks

A senior member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has urged members in the province of Sulu to close ranks and spread the real content or substance of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), in the heels of report that some unscrupulous persons including politicians are spreading rumors that the FAB is nothing but a useless scrap of paper. Muhammad Ameen, chairperson of the MILF Secretariat, told Luwaran that the best way to counter these detractors FAB is to talk to the people directly and explain to them in plain and simple language that they understand the content of the agreement and what it brings to better the future of the entire Bangsamoro. “Expose their game and hidden self-agenda and in the end they will collapse in the face of truth,” he said. Sulu, which used to be the turf of the MNLF, is now fast becoming the bastion of the MILF as more and more people are joining the ranks of the MILF.

The MILF has complete political and military organs in Sulu. In addition, thousands of women are also enlisting in the social welfare committee of the MILF, which caters to the modest needs of the people, especially in terms of health, sanitation, adult education, etc. Asked to identify the detractors, Ameen refused to divulge their identities, saying it is not advisable and we are reaching out to them. He said problems like this should be handled cautiously and should be non-antagonistic to prevent it from degenerating. However, he said the government knows the identities of these people and surely, he added, it is not good to let these people proceed with their anti-peace agenda.

In a related development, Ameen disclosed that the MILF is trying very much to involve people in the island provinces to run the organization. But he said membership in the MILF central committee is not more by geographical representation but it is something that hinges on long service to the struggle, commitment and loyalty to the Bangsamoro cause, and capability to lead. However, he disclosed that right now the island provinces have at least five members of the MILF central leadership. He also disclosed that two members of the Transition Commission (TC) nominated by the MILF are coming from the island provinces.

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