Maharlika Village leaders denounce call for total war in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - Leaders of the Maharlika Village are denouncing calls for the government to mount a “total war” in Mindanao in reaction to the Mamasapano incident that killed five civilians, 44 police commandos of the Special Action Force (SAF) and 18 fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Community leaders in Maharlika also expressed that they are neither supporting nor opposing the controversial Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) - which will pave the way for the formation of an autonomous Muslim territory in Mindanao – but are supporting moves to promote peace in Mindanao.

“As long as para sa kapayapaan ng Mindanao, anuman 'yan, hindi kami tututol,” said Alvin Bantuas, a community leader at the Maharlika Village and leader of the Muslim Community Leaders Alliance (MCLA).

Bantuas, however, clarified that the BBL does not contain all the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people. He added peace efforts in Mindanao should include all sectors of the Bangsamoro people and not just the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Bantuas added that this argument is also being supported by Sultan Panangan Pangandaman, Sultan of Bandara Ingud and the most senior Maharlika Village leader.

“Ang gusto lamang ni Sultan ay maging inclusive, meaning lahat na ng sector ng bangsamoro at mga mamamyan ng bangsamoro ay mainvolve sa usaping ito. Yung hinahangad na kapayapaan ay hindi lubos na andun sa BBL Ang panawagan ng lahat ng nasa front ng Mindanao ay dapat inclusive. Isama lahat ng sektor para wala nang problema,” he said.

In a statement, the community leaders of the Maharlika Village called for “sobriety and calmness” in the wake of the Mamasapano incident which they said, had divided the country.

“Never abandon the peace process, while some people from Luzon and the Visayas want war in response to the incident. Calling for all-out-war (can) never give a solution to the long decades of suffering among Mindanaons,” the statement read.

“We call and appeal to all Filipino citizens both Muslims and non-Muslims to stop instigating any form of violence in Mindanao,” the statement added.

For his part, Sultan Pangandaman said the military operations launched in the wake of the Mamasapano incident has already left several communities displaced and has affected the lives of civilians.

“Libu-libo na ang nagkakasakit dahil sa operasyon na ito na ginagawa ng military. Ang panawagan namin ay stop war in Mindanao,” he said.

Sultan Pangandaman - who said he was part of the original group that formed the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) along with Nur Misuari – also stressed on the need to involve all sectors of the bangsamoro in the ongoing peace negotiations and not just the MILF.

“They [government] should talk with the right leaders. Like here (Maharlika Village) where all the tribes are represented,” he said.

The Maharlika Village, one of the barangays of Taguig City, was created as a community for displaced Muslims on January 3, 1973 by then President Marcos. It is now considered as the largest Muslim community in Metro Manila where all the Muslim tribes of Mindanao are represented.