MANILA, Philippines - The leadership of the Moro National Liberation Front (MILF) is slated to present its draft “Bangsamoro Constitution†before its constituents in an “Independence Assembly†to be held in key areas of Mindanao on Sunday.
Lawyer Emmanuel Fontanilla, MNLF spokesman, said the “Independence Assembly†is aimed at getting suggestions and feedback from their members about their plans and actions, in case the government abandons its peace accord with their group.
“We will have an independence assembly on July 28. The assembly will be held in General Santos City and other areas of Mindanao,†Fontanilla said, as he assured the gathering will be peaceful and in accordance with the law.
There were talks that the MNLF will declare independence for the Bangsamoro People in a gathering held n Zamboanga Sibugay only to be denied later by its founding chairman and former Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARRM) Nur Misuari.
Feeling that they are being sidelined in the peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the MNLF leadership, threatened to take drastic steps against the government if they are not consulted in the peace talks.
“The bottom-line is the assembly would be peaceful without arms and in accordance with the Philippine Constitution and the United Nations Charter for self -determination with UN observers around,†Fontanilla said.
A source, however, bared that the MNLF leadership is presenting its draft constitution during the assembly as part of its consultation process in preparation for its plan to severe its ties with the government.
Meanwhile, the military is continuously monitoring the activities of the MNLF in all areas in Mindanao.
Military spokesperson Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said that the military’s efforts are being done in support of the Philippine National Police (PNP) own monitoring on MNLF activities.
“As part of our mandate, we are continuously monitoring their activities and we will only base our actions on orders of higher political leadership,†Zagala said.