MILF fighters in Maguindanao overcome with joy over framework agreement for peace

Members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front shout Allahu Akhbar, or God is great, as they gather at their stronghold at Camp Darapanan in Maguindanao province in southern Philippines to coincide with the tentative peace-signing agreement between MILF and the Government at Malacanang, Monday. AP PHOTO

CAMP DARAPANAN, Maguindanao, Philippines — Kim Aloy’s tears freely flowed down his cheeks as Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chair Murad Ebrahim was speaking in Malacañang about the framework agreement for peace.

“Those were tears of joy,” Aloy later told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Aloy was among some 2,000 fully armed MILF fighters, who lined up for formation starting 7 a.m. on Monday, and patiently waited for the developments of the signing of the preliminary accord.

Like his colleagues in the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), Aloy listened intently to the radio broadcast of the developments in Malacañang, which was beamed over a loud speaker placed on a stage decorated in bright colors of gold, green and purple.

An MILF flag was also raised.

When it was Murad’s turn to speak, many of them started to be emotional under the scorching heat but maintained composure.

As those in Malacañang clapped their hands in between Murad’s lines, Aloy and his colleagues would also raise their firearms and chant “Allahu Akbar (God is Great).” Other MILF members not in formation raised clenched fists and joined the takbir.

For Aloy, the tears that he shed as Murad was speaking manifested his joy over the agreement.

“I am just very happy that both parties reached an agreement. I cried out of joy,” he said.

Aloy, 21, said he only joined the BIAF four years ago but he knew the Moro people fought hard for self-determination for years.

“Now we have seen the fruit of that struggle,” he said.

Ismael Kasan, 26, said he was just a boy in 2000 when then president Joseph Estrada declared an all out war against the MILF.

But he said he knew of the many sufferings the MILF guerrillas endured during that time, which was why he could not hold back his tears when the agreement was signed on Monday.

In his mind were those who perished in the revolution.  “They did not see the coming of this day when the MILF signed the agreement,” Kasan said.

As President Aquino was speaking, some people inside the camp would occasionally clap their hands.

But Aloy, Kasan and the other MILF fighters in formation, just listened to what the President said.

When the voice on the radio announced the conclusion of the signing ceremonies, the BIAF forces interlocked their arms, sang a solidarity song in Arabic as more of them wept, before saying a short prayer of thanks.

Mohammad Nasif, camp commander of Darapanan, said the mood was celebratory among the more than 5,000 people – including BIAF members – who came over to show support to the signing of the initial agreement.

It was only about 4 p.m. when the BIAF forces and the MILF supporters dispersed after partaking of some food they have prepared.

In Davao City, some 200 Muslim Kalagans also converged in a rally in support of the signing.  They were joined by Muslim businessmen, who even shut down their shops, in deference to the event.

Those in the rally wore anything green, representing the MILF color. Women wore green hijabs while the men wore green shirts or ribbons.

Even if the agreement would not have a direct impact on the Moros of Davao, Imam Hamidon Owayan from the Moro community in Caliclic in the Island Garden City of Samal said they were happy for their Muslim brothers and the entire Bangsamoro.

The rallyists, who converged at the Freedom Park in Davao City, also brought with them posters that thanked the United States for its support to the peace process.

Ommsalam Gawan, a 60-year-old Kalagan leader, said they understood that the agreement did not automatically spell betterment for the Moro people.

“This is just the first step. The success will depend on the Moro people, we must work on it,” she said. With a report from Ayan Mellejor, Inquirer Mindanao