MNLF supporters hold dialogue on peace pact
ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines – An estimated 5,000 combatants and supporters of the Moro National Liberation Front converged in Sulu as part of the consultation and dialogue conducted by MNLF founding chairman Nur Misuari.
The gathering was to address the brewing crisis affecting the 1996 peace agreement it signed with the government, following the reported plan to put “closure†to the tripartite review of the full implementation of the accord.
The closure of the tripartite review on some provisions of the 1996 MNLF final agreement was requested by the government peace panel to the Indonesian government as member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
The non-closure of review was viewed as an obstacle to another accord entered by the government with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a faction of the MNLF that broke away in late ‘70s due to ideological differences.
Habib Mujahab Hashim, MNLF chair for the Islamic Command Council (ICC), said he had information that the MNLF gathered at Barangay Lampaki, Indanan town.
There are reports that the MNLF forces and members led by most senior leader Kaid Ajibon and other senior leaders, including Habier Malik attended the gathering.
“The convergence of the MNLF combatants and members was just part of the consultative meeting and dialogue being conducted by chairman Misuari to assess the situation affected by the peace efforts of the Philippine government to the other faction. There is nothing wrong with the gathering of the MNLF members as long as they will not violate the laws,†Hashim said.
Earlier last week, MNLF members arrived en masse and gathered at the residence of Misuari in the city. This caused tension among the residents with reports that Misuari would declare independence.
City Mayor Isabel Climaco-Salazar called on residents to stay vigilant.
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