The separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) succeeded in getting the support of the mainstream Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) for its decades-old struggle for Muslim independence in Mindanao. MILF vice chair for political affairs Ghazali Jaafar, in a radio interview Monday, confirmed its unification with the MNLF with one common end — an independent state for Muslim Filipinos in the South. "Not only the (Nur) Misuari faction (had joined our cause), but all MNLF leaders, who believe that the true and legitimate way to peace in Mindanao is the century-old obsession for Muslim independence," Jaafar said.
The MILF has been conducting a series of dialogues since 2001 to know the pulse and sentiments of former MNLF rebels and other Mindanao inhabitants on how to resolve the long-drawn Moro rebellion. "This is the reason why in the past several days, we were busy meeting with MNLF leaders and other members of the Bangsamoro (highlanders and non-Muslim inhabitants) in the South," said Jaafar, former MILF chief peace negotiator. "Even business leaders and officials of non-government organizations took part," insisting that the fight for independence can be done peacefully, he said.
As stakeholders, Jaafar said they want the envisioned Moro state to be beneficial and relevant to all Mindanaoans and attained through peaceful means. Jaafar believes that "disagreement to vital issues is a big obstacle to the Moro quest for independence," adding that these conflicting opinions of various leaders have been the MILF’s major concern, thus the continued dialogues and meetings to iron out differences. Sultan Kudarat Governor Pax Mangudadatu and North Cotabato Governor Manny Pinol lauded the MILF’s "latest instrument to peace" through public consultations. They agreed that dialogues save lives and property, and prevent social dislocation and anxiety among the people wary of fighting and armed confrontation. Speaker Jose de Venecia, who is pushing for a federal and parliamentary form of government, said the MILF demand would fit into the picture if the Constitution was changed. |