The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) yesterday said it would adopt the "Kosovo model" as a peaceful means of attaining independence. MNLF spokesman Emmanuel Fontanilla said, "Armed struggle is already obsolete as proven in Syria and other countries. We will adopt the peaceful strategy used by Kosovo in attaining self rule." Serbia called the declaration of independence by Kosovo illegal and sought international validation from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which said the declaration did not violate international law.
Fontanilla said they wanted to embrace the Kosovo model by setting up the Bangsa Moro Republik (BMR) comprising Mindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, as well as Sabah and Sarawak of Malaysia.
| Because grabbing a chunk of Malaysia too makes it so much more tenable. |
Although the MNLF has renounced armed struggle, Fontanilla said they would act in self-defense when people's lives are in danger. He said, "It a sad fact that the people of Mindanao have been long neglected, exploited and their ancestral rights violated."
Fontanilla claimed that at least five countries in Middle East have already expressed their recognition for the BMR. He said the MNLF is now taking the next step in organizing its government in exile and would later conduct a series of assemblies for every province where Muslims, Christians and tribal communities will express their desire for self-rule. A series of declarations will be made province by province and, "The rest will be history," said Fontanilla.