Political bets seeking MILF support in May polls, says Iqbal

Chief MILF negotiator Mohaqher Iqbal

COTABATO CITY – A high ranking Moro Islamic Liberation Front official said “a lot” of politicians have been wooing the rebel group in a bid to bolster their respective candidacies among the Moros.

“A lot of politicians have been wooing the MILF for support in the 2013 midterm balloting,” Mohagher Iqbal, MILF chief negotiator, said over a radio station here on Thursday.

Iqbal, however, did not identify who these politicians were or what positions they were running for.

But he added the MILF had turned them away as the rebel group’s policy of non-intervention in Philippine elections remains in effect despite signing of the preliminary agreement for the establishment of a Bangsamoro government.

Iqbal said what the MILF told the politicians was that they should support the peace process because their positive stance towards it could convince Moro voters into supporting their political bid.

“(They should make it one of their) priority issues during the campaign period,” he said.

Iqbal said while the MILF, as an organization, maintained its policy of not endorsing any candidate in Philippine elections, it was also not preventing its members from actually casting their ballots.

He also said the rebel group had made it clear to politicians that they can freely campaign inside MILF territories anytime, without shelling money for “revolutionary tax.”

Iqbal also said the MILF’s only interest these days was the success of the peace process.

This was the same reason, he said, why the MILF would provide help to ensure that the balloting would be peaceful and orderly.

Iqbal said MILF guerrillas would be deployed alongside policemen and soldiers to help maintain peace and security during the elections.

“In cooperation with the government and its military and police units, the MILF will help ensure safe and fair elections,” he said.

Iqbal said the MILF believed that a peaceful balloting will also help the peace process.

In the past, the peace process was repeatedly threatened by clashes, a number of which occurred during elections.