Muslim intellectuals call for integration of MILF, MNLF peace accords

By: Jerome Aning - 11 years ago

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—A group of Filipino Muslim intellectuals called on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front on Tuesday to integrate their peace processes with the Philippine government so that peace will be achieved sooner in the Bangsamoro area.

The Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy, headquartered at the University of the Philippines, welcomed the signing of the annex on normalization and the resolution of the issue of the Bangsamoro waters between the government and MILF panels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“This brings the attainment of a just peace and inclusive development for our Bangsamoro citizens closer to realization,” PCID president Amina Rasul said in a statement.

Rasul added, however, that the integration of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement between the government and the MNLF with the agreement between the government and the MILF was “crucial to lasting peace in Mindanao.”

She said the PCID hoped the MNLF and the MILF “will be able to cooperate and work for the convergence of the two peace processes,” adding that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation had a crucial role to play in brokering a dialogue between the two rival groups.

The MILF broke away from the MNLF in the late 1970s over fundamental issues, including talks with the government on autonomy instead of full independence for Filipino Muslims.

The MNLF, particularly the faction led by founding chair Nur Misuari, enjoys observer status in the 57-member OIC.

The signing of the so-called “four annexes” made the agreement between the government and the MILF a comprehensive one, Rasul said, adding that with the engagement of the public in “a genuine, transparent and inclusive consultative process,” there should be no impediment to the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law by the Transition Commission as well as the Bangsamoro Development Plan by the Bangsamoro Development Agency.

“As the foundation for a vibrant autonomous region, these critical documents must be truly reflective of the aspirations of all of the Bangsamoro,” she said.

The PCID thanked the members of both panels and all those involved in the peace process for their “perseverance and dedication.”

“The PCID joins all Filipinos and peace advocates in praying that peace, which has remained elusive despite four decades of struggle and conflict, will finally be attained. There are still spoilers of peace. Let us call on all sectors to once and for all give peace a chance,” Rasul said.