MNLF consulted on peace deal with MILF – Palace
Representatives of the Moro National Liberation Front ( MNLF) in Indonesia were consulted on the framework agreement entered into by the government with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Malacañang said yesterday.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda made the statement after MNLF founder Nur Misuari warned of possible unrest in Mindanao if the government pushes through with its Bangsamoro agreement. “MNLF was consulted directly and through Indonesia, which is the facilitator,” Lacierda said, quoting presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles.
“They (MNLF) will have a representation in Bangsamoro. That is as far as what Secretary Deles has informed me,” he said.
“We have sent the message that we intend the process of making the new law inclusive; that they will have representation in the Transition Commission – an intent that we have communicated to MILF as well,” Lacierda added.
He said the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) has convened MNLF and MILF leaders to push for unity and coordination.
“The OIC Peace Commission for Southern Philippines ( PCSP) supports this. Signifi elements of the MNLF have welcomed this development,” Lacierda said.
The Palace official added that the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is working with MNLF communities, which have clearly expressed support for the peace process and have called for their leaders to unite.
Chief peace negotiator Marvic Leonen and MILF chairman Al Haj Murad will sign the framework agreement on Oct. 15 in Malacañang to be witnessed by the Malaysian Prime Minister.
MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal will also be present in the signing ceremonies.
“The MILF and the MNLF have a solidarity agreement and they have also been consulted. They will also have a representation in the development of the Basic Law,” Lacierda said.
Meanwhile, MNLF members in Mindanao are reportedly restive over the proposed creation of Bangsamoro.
“The security situation (on the ground) is highly volatile and this must be immediately addressed by the national leadership,” sources in close contact with MNLF field commanders said in a telephone interview yesterday.
Misuari was earlier quoted as saying that he will file charges against the government before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its unilateral action on the peace agreement with the MILF.
Sources said that while the government and the MILF were busy hammering out a peace deal in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the MNLF was busy recruiting new members, allegedly spread all over Mindanao.
Aside from this, MNLF commanders have established contact with the MILF breakaway group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) of Ameril Umbra Kato.
Investments for Bangsamoro
Meanwhile, President Aquino sees investments that will pave the way for the creation of business process outsourcing (BPO) firms in the soon-to-beformed Bangsamoro region in Mindanao.
Aquino disclosed this scenario in a speech he delivered during the BPO Association of the Philippines International Outsourcing Summit held Tuesday night at Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City.
“With the recently concluded framework agreement with the MILF, we are very hopeful that there will come a day when we see a number of IT-BPO companies operating in the Bangsamoro,” Aquino said.
He thanked BPO companies in the Philippines for their contribution to the local economy, resulting in the country’s continued growth.
The Philippines emerged in 2010 as the top BPO site in the world, dislodging India.
Government revenues from BPO firms reached $11 billion in 2011.
“In 2016, we expect the BPO industry to make $25 billion, while employing around 1.3 million Filipinos,” Aquino added.
“Right now, an increasing number of BPO companies are investing in our Next Wave Cities, among them Sta. Rosa in Laguna, Lipa in Batangas, and Dumaguete. We are also hard at work to make even more places in the Philippines ripe for investment,” Aquino said.
‘Divisive, confusing’
An opposition lawmaker said yesterday that the framework agreement on the creation of Bangsamoro in Mindanao was “divisive and confusing.”
Siquijor Rep. Orlando Fua said disgruntled elements within the MILF may not like the pact and could form an armed and more violent breakaway group.
– With Paolo Romero, Alexis Romero, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Jose Rodel Clapano, Jaime Laude, John Unson, Roel Pareño