Rival Moro groups come together for federalism

DAVAO CITY—Leaders of two major Moro rebel groups met with President-elect Rodrigo Duterte on Friday and pledged their support for his campaign to shift to a federal form of government.

Abul Khayr Alonto, who chairs a faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), said the incoming president’s federalism goal was “acceptable” to his group.

“The centralized form of government is a dismal failure, that is why there is war in Mindanao,” Alonto told reporters after emerging from the meeting that began after 9 p.m. at Hotel Elena here.

“The president-elect has our commitment and our support, not just in pronouncements but in action as well, Alonto added.

On the other hand, Ghadzali Jaafar, vice chair for political affairs of the rival Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), told the INQUIRER after the meeting that his group would also support Duterte’s federalism agenda. However, he hoped the incoming president would first push for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, as he had promised dur- ing the election campaign.

“We believe that we can help more significantly if the BBL will be passed ahead of the change to a federal system, ”Jaafar said.

The BBL’s passage and the creation of a Bangsamoro government “may even help by becoming an exhibit of the federalism campaign,” he added.

The BBL “needs to be immediately passed into law, because it effectively addresses the peculiarities unique to the Bangsamoro that are not necessarily found in other prospective federal states.”

Jaafar recalled that during Duterte’s visit to Darapanan (an MILF stronghold) in February, he had pledged to correct the historical injustices done to the Bangsamoro and vowed to support the BBL and their quest for self-determination.

At any rate, Jaafar described Friday’s meeting as “very productive.” This was his first meeting with the Bangsamoro top leadership after Duterte won the election.

“We are glad that we have opened the doors of the MILF and this new administration. What is important is that we can continue engaging,” Jaafar said.

And to ensure genuine and lasting peace in the Bangsamoro, the MILF also vowed to address the division among its people, especially its differences with the MNLF.

The MILF and the MNLF have separate peace agreements with the government that need to be reconciled. The MILF is a breakaway faction of the MNLF.

“On our part, we will work for unity and the convergence of the Bangsamoro people and the peace agreements,” Jaafar said.

Jaafar said both the MILF and the MNLF had agreed to pursue efforts for reconciliation.

In a statement issued on June 11, the MILF said: “With the advent of a new administration on June 30, 2016, we are confident that the Bangsamoro peace process will not be relegated in status, as it has proven to be potentially the most viable solution to address conflict arising from historical injustices committed against our people.”