Misuari calls for 2nd MNLF assembly in Sulu

From ABS-CBN (Feb 3): Misuari calls for 2nd MNLF assembly in Sulu

Nur Misuari, the founding chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front, is calling for another assembly of his followers in Zamboanga Peninsula, Central Mindanao and Basulta (Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-tawi) area on February 7 in one of the main MNLF camps in Sulu.

Habib Mudjahab Hashim, chairman of the Islamic Command Council of the MNLF, said the assembly will be an avenue for MNLF leaders to discuss and inform their members about the results of the tripartite review meeting between the government of the Philippines, MNLF and Organization of Islamic Cooperation held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia last January 25 to 26.

Hashim said the MNLF leaders need to explain to members the four important consensus of the meeting, which will be implemented with the strict monitoring of the OIC.

Hashim said among the consensus signed during the 5th and final tripartite review is the establishment of a Bangsamoro Development Assistance Fund that will be used to initiate socio-economic and development projects in MNLF communities.

The government of the Philippines will allocate P100 million while the OIC will also donate an additional P100 million to jumpstart the projects needed in MNLF communities.

Hashim said the money allocated to implement these projects should be strictly monitored by tripartite implementation monitoring committee which will be organized consistent to the terms of reference agreed by both parties during the tripartite review process.

The MNLF and GPH also agreed to the co-management of strategic minerals and participation of the MNLF to the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, which will be set up in the creation of a new autonomous region, referring to the proposed Bangsamoro government.

But Hashim said the transition government should be managed solely by the MNLF as stipulated in the 1996 peace agreement signed by the MNLF and GPH.

He said their proposal to create another autonomous government for MNLF was never considered and discussed during the tripartite review meeting.

"In negotiations, it is a game of give and take. This is better than nothing," Hashim added.

Thousands of MNLF members are expected to attend the second assembly in Sulu called by their top leader.

The commander of Task Force Zamboanga, Colonel Jubymax Uy, said they have alerted all their personnel to strictly monitor the movements of the MNLF in Zamboanga City, as they are expected to pass through the city going to Sulu province.

Uy said they will have to escort the MNLF members from the boundary of Zamboanga City in the east coast to the local port just to assure the public that no other activity will be conducted by the group in the city.

Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar reiterated her order to the local police and military to make sure those MNLF members entering Zamboanga City with firearms and bladed weapons will be arrested.

Climaco said she will also not allow any assembly of the MNLF to be held in Zamboanga City as this will create panic among residents who are still traumatized from the 2013 Zamboanga siege.

Climaco also denounced the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process for allegedly failing to establish a protocol of coordination with the MNLF and other rebel groups, in relation to their movements and activities which might create security concerns among local government units in Mindanao.

She said OPAPP should be abolished by the government if they cannot execute well their responsibilities as a government agency.

She also questions law enforcement agencies of not exerting effort to arrest Misuari who has been hiding in Sulu. Misuari has standing arrest warrants for a rebellion case and violation of international law in connection to the 2013 Zamboanga siege.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/regions/02/03/16/misuari-calls-for-2nd-mnlf-assembly-in-sulu