Phl gov’t terminates review of 1996 peace pact with MNLF

MANILA, Philippines - The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has officially informed the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) that the Philippine government has terminated the tripartite review of the full implementation of the 1996 peace agreement, allowing the rebel group to go back to its original political objective of independence.

Absalon Cerveza, a member of the MNLF peace panel told The STAR that the OIC, through the Indonesian embassy in Davao City on Thursday, has relayed its desire for the full implementation of the 1996 peace accord but the stand of the Philippine government was “irreversible.”

“It’s back to square one, and since the government position is irreversible, the stand of the MNLF for seeking the independence of Mindanao is also final,” he said.

However, Cerveza said the recognition of the MNLF as permanent observer in the 57-member Islamic body will remain and its founding chairman Nur Misuari will continue to occupy his seat during the meetings and assembly of the OIC.

He said the OIC recognized the MNLF under the leadership of Misuari as the representative of the Bangsamoro people in the Philippines.

With the exit of the OIC from the tripartite talks, Cerveza said the MNLF is now focused on following its petition with the United Nations for the “decolonization” of Mindanao by recognizing the group as an independent state.

“The MNLF is awaiting the action of the UN committee on decolonization on our petition for self rule,” he said.

MNLF spokesman Emmanuel Fontanilla earlier said the territory of the Bangsa Moro Republik (BMR) declared by Misuari included Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia.

He said the “interim” constitution of the BMR was submitted to the UN a day after Misuari declared independence in Daira Lampaya, Talipao in Sulu last Aug. 12.

“The declaration of independence has the blessing of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation which transmitted the BMR constitution to the UN,” Fontanilla said.

The BMR includes the provinces of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, the whole island of Mindanao and Palawan.

The seat of government is being eyed in Davao City.

The action of the OIC, Fontanilla said, was an offshoot to the letter of the Philippine government declaring the 1996 peace accord with the MNLF as already completed despite some unresolved issues.

He said the OIC, in a resolution, has urged the Philippine government to synchronize it with the framework agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

However, the resolution was apparently ignored by the government which instead informed the OIC of the move to end talks with MNLF.

Under the proposed BMR constitution, the form of government will be a federal system with the Muslims and Christians, along with indigenous groups, sharing equal powers in the government.

Fontanilla said the MNLF would exhaust all peaceful and legal means to attain their political objective.

“The MNLF has already renounced war and if there is any hostile action it would not be coming from the MNLF,” he said.