MNLF bares plan to elect new chairman

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines- - A plan to select new chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has been brought to the attention of the Organization of Islamic Coordination (OIC) during its meeting in June in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The plan came barely a  month after the 10 senior leaders of the MNLF central committee forged a resolution to unify and maintain their support to the MNLF under the chairmanship of Nur Misuari.

Habib Mudjahab Hashim, MNLF’s Islamic Command Council (ICC), confirmed the plan that was submitted to the OIC.

“There is a plan that was submitted during the meeting presided by the OIC to elect or choose a chairman that will represent the MNLF to the OIC,” Hashim said.

Hashim said the requirement for a candidate must be a member of the MNLF and should have no connection with the Philippine government to avoid any conflict of interest.

A disgruntled faction of the MNLF formed the 15-man committee and ousted Misuari in 2000 from the chairmanship due to dissatisfaction to  his leadership.

Hashim added that the step was not aimed to oust Misuari from the leadership again.

“The selection will not bar brother Nur (Misuari) from being one of the candidates,” Hashim said.

Hashim was one of the 10 senior MNLF leaders who forged a resolution that calls for unity of the MNLF and support to the Misuari leadership.

The MNLF resolution, however, received flaks from some Muslim peace groups as support to Misuari could be tantamount to condoning the bloody siege in Zamboanga City that left over 200 people killed and more than 120,000 civilians displaced last year. Misuari is believed to have masterminded the attempt to take over Zamboanga City.

The Muslim groups also cited the OIC’s lack of appreciation of the atrocities launched by Misuari who is charged by Department of Justice (DOJ) for rebellion and violation of International Humanitarian Law, genocide and other crimes against humanity. - Roel Pareño