Members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front gather at their stronghold at Camp Darapanan in Maguindanao province in southern Philippines to coincide with the tentative peace-signing agreement between the government and the MILF at Malacañang Palace in Manila Monday, Oct. 15, 2012. AP PHOTO/KARLOS MANLUPIG
As their chieftain spoke in Manila of an end to the “long struggle for justice and peace” of the Moro people, fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) some 900 kilometers away raised their fists and assault rifles while chanting “Allahu Akbar!” (God is Great!) on the grassy flatland of Camp Darapanan in Maguindanao.
Kim Aloy’s tears slid on his cheeks as Murad Ebrahim, the MILF chairman, delivered Monday afternoon in Malacañang the rebel group’s sentiments about the peace framework agreement that culminated years of off-and-on negotiations with the government.
“Those were tears of joy,” Aloy told the Philippine Daily Inquirer. “I am just very happy that both parties reached an agreement. I cried out of joy.”
Mohammad Nasif, the camp commander, said the mood was celebratory.
As President Aquino spoke, some people clapped and chanted. But Aloy, Kasan and the other fighters in formation stood in silence and listened.
When it was announced that the signing ceremonies had ended, the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) members locked arms and sang a solidarity song in Arabic. More wept before saying a short prayer of thanks.
Wielding a 50-cal. Barrett sniper’s rifle, the 21-year-old was among some 2,000 MILF warriors who lined up in formation as early as 7 a.m. in the camp, 2 km from the national highway but secured by trees, foliage, houses, and civilian supporters. They patiently waited for developments toward the signing of the preliminary accord at the national government’s seat of power.
Like his comrades in the BIAF, Aloy listened intently to a loudspeaker hooked up to a radio broadcast of the Malacañang event on a stage decorated in bright colors of gold, green and purple.
An MILF flag was raised.
When Murad began to speak, some guerrillas shed tears under the scorching afternoon heat but maintained their composure. The older ones kept silent as if reminiscing the scars of the rebellion they have been waging for decades.
As the audience in Malacañang clapped in between Murad’s lines, Aloy and his colleagues raised their firearms and joined the Arabic “takbir” (chant) of “Allahu Akbar!”
“Now we have seen the fruit of that struggle,” Aloy said. He said he joined the BIAF only four years ago but he knew the Moro people were struggling hard for self-determination.
Another fighter, Ismael Kasan, 26, said he was just a boy when then President Joseph Estrada declared an all-out war against the MILF in 2000. But he said he knew of the many sufferings the guerrillas endured during that time, which was why he could not hold back his tears when the framework agreement was signed.
He thought about those who died in the rebellion. “They did not see the coming of this day,” he said.
Davao show of solidarity
At about 4 p.m., the MILF fighters and their supporters partook of the food they had prepared before dispersing.
The show of solidarity also took place in Davao City. Some 200 Muslims belonging to the Kalagan tribe converged in a rally at Freedom Park and were joined by Muslim businessmen who even shut down their shops in deference to the event.
The women wore green hijabs while the men came in green shirts or ribbons. They also brought posters thanking the United States for giving its support to the peace process.
Although the agreement does not have a direct impact on the Moro people of Davao, Imam Hamidon Owayan from the Moro community in Caliclic in the Island Garden City of Samal said he was happy for the Muslims and the entire Bangsamoro.
A Kalagan leader, Ommsalam Gawan, 60, said he acknowledged that the peace deal 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.
The usual protest site near Malacañang had a festive mood as hundreds of Muslims held a peace rally to welcome the signing of the framework agreement.
Members of Muslim civil society groups, some of whom had joined the peace caravan from Mindanao, held a concert and vigil on Sunday night at the foot of Don Chino Roces Bridge in Manila.
“We have a long way to go but what is important is we started on the right footing by recognizing the Bangsamoro identity,” Anak Mindanao leader Sitti Djalia Hataman said in a statement. With reports from Ayan Mellejor, Inquirer Mindanao, in Davao City and Erika Sauler in Manila