MNLF drumbeats calls for ‘genuine’ implementation of Mindanao’s 1996 final peace pact

KIDAPAWAN CITY – A top official of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) executive council of 15 has again reiterated calls to the Philippine government to make good its commitment to the 1996 government-MNLF peace accord.

MNLF chairman Datu Muslimin Sema, during the organization’s 47th founding day celebrations on Wednesday, said his group is still waiting for the national government to implement “in letter and in spirit” the accord signed almost 20 years ago.

The tripartite review, which started during the leadership of then President Arroyo, has not yet completed its evaluation of the accord.

The tripartite review is being undertaken by the government, MNLF, and the Organization of Islamic Countries, an association of 56 Islamic states promoting Muslim solidarity in economic, social, and political affairs.

In particular, Sema said the Philippine government failed to comply with its obligation to implement genuine political reforms in the autonomous government within the 1996 final peace agreement framework.

In a manifesto, the MNLF executive council of 15 said the Philippine government still has refused to abide by its commitment to peace and grant their desires for genuine self governance.

“The never ending cycle of distrust, discrimination, and deep-seated hatred of the majority [ Filipinos] remains sweeping and vicious,” said the statement.

They added that the current conditions of the Bangsamoro are ‘nowhere different” when they rose up in arms after the Jabidah massacre — also known as the Corregidor massacre, an incident on March 18, 1968 where members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines were said to have killed a number of Muslim recruits who tried to escape after a covert training to reclaim Sabah, Malaysia.

Currently, the MNLF said, the Muslim Filipinos are again suffering from the fallout of another incident in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that resulted in a military offensive as if war has been declared against them.

On Monday, the MNLF fighters, clad in military uniform with the MNLF insignia, had a passing- inreview at Barangay Kilada in Matalam, North Cotabato – seat of the Sebangan Kutawato (North Cotabato) State Revolutionary Committee of the MNLF under Commander Datu Dima Ambel.