MILF head negotiator dies

Marawi City — A former undersecretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government who was head of the negotiating panel of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) died Saturday at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in Quezon City.

Abraham "Abet" Iribani, a native of Sulu province, was also the liaison officer and spokesman for the MNLF and was "like a brother" to MNLF chairman Nur Misuari.

He was the head of the MNLF negotiating panel during the Ramos administration.

Iribani served as the chief government negotiator in November 2001 during the "mini revolt" of Misuari’s followers in Cabatangan complex in Zamboanga City. After negotiations, the children and women taken hostage by Misuari’s followers were released.

Iribani was a graduate of the National Defense College. — Lino dela Cruz