The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper
MNLF renews commitment to peace
SULU – The Moro National Liberation Front has pledged strong support to peace and development efforts of the Sulu provincial government and police and military authorities and even proposed a regular quadripartite conference that would further promote stability and progress here.
Just recently, Senior MNLF officials headed by its Vice Chairman Abdul Karim Misuari met with Sulu Governor Toto Tan to discuss mutual, social and security concerns in the province. Misuari was accompanied by MNLF Secretary General Ustadz Murshi Ibrahim and Sammy Adju, Chairman of the Global Roving Democracy.
The quadripartite meeting would allow the four groups to talk, coordinate and ventilate their concerns on any contentious issues to avoid misunderstanding and provide a sustainable and peaceful cooperation in addressing the challenges confronting the province.
Misuari also took the opportunity during the meeting to praise President Rodrigo Duterte for his sincere understanding of the plight of the Bangsamoro people. He said Duterte has shown his strong commitment to the implementation of the 1996 peace agreement between the Philippine government and the MNLF.
“The 1996 Final Peace Agreement between the MNLF and the Philippine government is the mother of all peace agreements, therefore it should be implemented to the letter,” Misuari said, adding, the former rebel group can greatly help in preserving peace not only in Sulu, but elsewhere in the autonomous region.
He said poverty and neglect of the area is the root cause of all evils in the region.
For his part, Tan – a peace-maker and a strong supporter of Duterte – said the provincial government is also working hard in cooperation with the national government in uplifting the welfare of the people in Sulu and advocating peace and development in the province and in the autonomous region.
“That is our thrusts and the influx of livelihood projects in Sulu from multinational companies and investors are also in the pipeline. Improvements in our social service facilities such as hospitals, educational institutions, among others, are included in the plan. Upgrading of our power plants and communication facilities are also outlined in the program,” Tan said.
Tan also cited a proposed bill filed in Congress by Kusug Tausug Representative Shernee Tan that would upgrade the Sulu State College to university status. The bill, he added, would provide free education for 15 years.
“Basically, we all want the same thing, a developed and peaceful Sulu,” Tan told the MNLF leaders during the conference held at his office.