MNLF, MILF urged to back ARMM polls

Sen. Blas Ople asked the top command of the Moro National Liberation Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front yesterday to support the plebiscite on Tuesday in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Top leaders of the two groups signed a unification agreement several days ago in Kuala Lumpur.

Ople said an autonomous government provides an "intelligent option" to the demand for independence raised by the MILF, a group that broke away from the MNLF to press the campaign for a Bangsamoro nation.

The plebiscite seeks to expand the territory of ARMM from beyond Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Lanao del Sur to include 14 cities and 15 provinces that are predominantly Christian areas.

Earlier, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel expressed doubts that the plebiscite would result in a bigger area for ARMM. He has opposed the call of ARMM Gov. Nur Misuari to postpone the plebiscite for a third time.

He noted that Misuari did not even participate or send a representative to the public hearings on proposed amendments to the ARMM Organic Act.

Misuari has contended that the Jakarta Agreement between the government and the MNLF could be implemented without the plebiscite, which he described as a "unilateral" act of the government.

Aside from the expansion of the area, the plebiscite also seeks to increase the powers of the local officials below the rank of regional governor.