MNLF scraps ‘Council of 15,’ forms new governing body

COTABATO CITY — The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has dissolved its 15-member central governing body, which ousted Nur Misuari as chairman last year, to pave the way for the setting up of a more efficient leadership structure.

Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema, MNLF secretary-general, said they have replaced the "Council of 15" with an executive central committee, led by an interim chairman, Hatimil Hassan.

The Council of 15, which included Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Parouk Hussin, took over the MNLF’s helm from Misuari in mid-2001 following his ouster due to loss of trust and confidence in his leadership.

Sema said Hassan, former deputy director of the Southern Philippines Council for Peace and Development (SPCPD), was chosen unanimously by the MNLF’s 16 state chairmen from all over Mindanao to head the new executive central committee in the interim period.

The SPCPD, a transitory mechanism for the expansion of autonomy in Muslim Mindanao, was abolished after the Aug. 14 ratification of Republic Act 9054, the ARMM’s amended charter.

The expanded ARMM is now composed of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Norte, Maguindanao, Basilan and Marawi City.

The revamp in the MNLF leadership was agreed upon by the Council 15 during a meeting last Monday in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

Sema said they decided to designate an interim leader to oversee the affairs of the MNLF until a regular chain of command is put in place.

"And that will come three months from now," he said.

Sema said they have started informing member-states of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) of the changes in the MNLF’s governing mechanism.