MILF won’t touch May polls–Jaafar

MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Saturday reiterated its “hands off” policy on the May elections but said that it would allow its members to vote.

Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF vice chair for political affairs, said the reiteration of the policy was agreed upon during a recent meeting of the MILF Central Committee.

However, Jaafar said the MILF Central Committee had slightly relaxed the policy and allowed its political and military leaders to support relatives seeking elective posts in May.

“They should just be sure that they won’t violate the provisions of our hands off policy such as getting on stage to campaign or use the MILF as an organization,” Jaafar told the Inquirer.

Jaafar said MILF members and sympathizers would also be allowed to vote.

Asked when this policy would be implemented, Jaafar said the MILF did not have a timetable for it.

“It would depend on the central committee as the highest governing body of the MILF,” he said.

On its website, luwaran.com, Muhammad Ameen, chair of the MILF secretariat, has disowned the candidates who have been claiming that they have the support of the MILF in the elections.

“The MILF will not anoint any candidate,” Ameen said.