Palace shrugs off MILF claim that it remains a revolutionary organization

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Tuesday evaded questions on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF’s) statement, during the Senate hearing on the controversial Mamasapano clash, that it was still a “revolutionary organization” despite the ongoing peace process.

“Ang mahalaga para sa pamahalaan ay ang pagpapatupad ng mga probisyon ng Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB),” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a statement.

(What is important for the government is the implementation of the provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.)

The CAB is the final peace agreement of the Philippine government and the MILF.

However, the MILF was involved last month in a bloody encounter in Mamasapano town, Maguindanao, which led to the death of 44 members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF). On January 25, the MILF and its breakaway group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) engaged in a firefight with the 392-strong SAF group that was tasked to arrest international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan.

Coloma merely reiterated President Benigno Aquino III’s earlier pronouncement that the government is waiting for the MILF’s concrete action that will show that they continue to comply with their obligations under the peace agreement.

“Inaasahan mula sa MILF sa lalong madaling panahon ang mas konkretong patunay ng pakikiisa sa prosesong pang-kapayapaan sa pamamagitan ng:  pagtulong sa operasyon laban kay (Filipino terrorist Basit) Usman; pagkilala at pagpapanagot sa mga may kasalanan; at pagbabalik ng mga armas at personal na kagamitan ng mga nasawing miyembro ng PNP-SAF,” he said.

(The MILF is expected to, at the soonest possible time, to show concrete proof of their adherence to the peace process through the following: assisting in the operation against Usman; identifying and holding accountable the perpetrators; and returning the weapons and personal effects of the PNP-SAF members who were killed in the clash.)

During a Senate hearing on Tuesday, an MILF representative read chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal’s statement.

“Please bear with us as we engage the institution of the Philippine Senate officially for the first time. The MILF is a revolutionary organization. Until peace agreement is implemented, we remain to be a revolutionary organization,” the statement said.

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