Kabalu was the mouthpiece of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for over 10 years and was the most accessible rebel official whenever major skirmishes between the rebel group and the military occurred, including the “all-out war” declared in 2000 by then President Joseph Estrada.
“My joining the AFP was of my own volition,” Kabalu, 57, who hails from Datu Piang, Maguindanao, said on Wednesday. “I’m here on a mission of peace, and I believe working to attain that elusive peace in Mindanao is an individual responsibility.”
The military hunted down Kabalu and other top MILF leaders in the aftermath of rebel attacks on civilian communities in Lanao del Norte and Maguindanao in 2008 after the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional a proposed Bangsamoro homeland deal to end the MILF rebellion.
Suspicion
The MILF Central Committee suspended Kabalu for alleged involvement in the 2010 general elections. The group claims to maintain a neutral policy on political exercises.
Kabalu resigned from the MILF last year before its top leaders could expel him for talking to local politicians to pursue his desire to be among the nominees for acting chair of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. President Benigno Aquino eventually appointed Mujiv Hataman to the post.
Major General Rey Ardo, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said Kabalu volunteered to help the military in its peace efforts.
The former rebel spokesperson “can be an effective reconciliatory asset for the AFP,” said Colonel Roy Galido, commander of the Army’s 40th Infantry Battalion based in North Cotabato.
‘Rido’ mediator
“He could be an effective helping hand in resolving rido (feud) among Moro clans, some of whom happen to be MILF members involved in political and land ownership squabbles,” Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu said when sought for comment.
While Kabalu’s act reaped praises from the government side, the MILF downplayed his decision to work with the military.
It does “not augur well with his personality,” said Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF political affairs chief.
But then, Jaafar said he hoped Kabalu could indeed help bring peace to Mindanao.
Kabalu said he did not turn his back on the Moro struggle and that his concern would remain for “genuine peace and progress for the entire Bangsamoro.”
“Now, working as a mainstream peace missionary, my position would be no armed confrontation or violence. I am for a peaceful resolution of the decades-old Mindanao conflict,” he said.