MNLF vows no armed struggle

MANILA, Philippines - The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) yesterday said it would adopt the “Kosovo model” as a peaceful means of attaining independence.

“Armed struggle is already obsolete as proven in Syria and other countries. We will adopt the peaceful strategy used by Kosovo in attaining self rule,” MNLF spokesman Emmanuel Fontanilla said.

He was referring to the declaration of independence by Kosovo from Serbia in 2008.

Serbia said the declaration of independence by Kosovo was illegal and sought international validation from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which said the declaration did not violate international law.

Fontanilla said they wanted to adopt what Kosovo did by setting up the Bangsa Moro Republik (BMR) comprising Mindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, as well as Sabah and Sarawak of Malaysia.

Fontanilla also appealed to the Philippine government not to take repressive measures that will go against the will of the people for self-rule.

Although the MNLF renounced armed struggle, Fontanilla said they would act in self-defense when the lives of the people are in danger.

“It a sad fact that the people of Mindanao have been long neglected, exploited and their ancestral rights violated,” he said.

According to Fontanilla, at least five countries in Middle East have already expressed their recognition for the BMR.

He said the people of Mindanao and other areas would be the ultimate judge on the fate of the BMR.

“The MNLF is just expressing its desire to be an independent state and it will the people who decide, it’s a war in winning the hearts and minds of the people,” he said.

Fontanilla said the MNLF is now taking the next step in organizing its government in exile and later conduct a series of assemblies for every province where Muslims, Christians and tribal communities will express their desire for self-rule.

The series of declarations will be made province by province, Fontanilla said. “The rest will be history.”

Last week, MNLF founding chairman Nur Misuari and his followers declared independence from the Philippines and established what they called the “Bangsamoro Republik.”

The MNLF led by Misuari had sought to establish an Islamic state in the south. In 1976, it signed the Tripoli agreement with the Philippine government that led to the creation of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in 1996.

MNLF members who were dissatisfied with the peace deal broke away and formed the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The MILF is currently in peace talks with the Philippine government, much to the chagrin of the MNLF who said they were left out.

Malacañang also said it does not recognize Misuari’s declaration of independence and maintains that there is only one Republic of the Philippines.

The MILF, on the other hand, warned the opposition to the peace talks would intensify now that it is close to being finished.

“The bigger the impending success the bigger the challenge or threat ranged against it,” it said.

The MILF said the efforts to foil the peace talks would not succeed as long as the stakeholders remain committed to pursue the peaceful track.

“Amidst these challenges, the MILF still pursues conciliatory approach. We know that logic and reason resonate so powerfully that men of understanding will respond positively,” it said.

 -Alexis Romero