MILF’s lack of control of fighters can trigger more problems under BBL – lawmaker

MANILA, Philippines – Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano has claimed that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front does not have full control of its armed troops on the ground, which he says can lead to complications once a Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is approved.

“We have received information on the dynamics inside the MILF where the leadership is not working in unison because they themselves were competing with each other on influencing their troops on the ground. They are already anticipating what position they will get in the Bangsamoro government,” said in an interview with DZBB anchor Rowena Salvacion.

Alejano said the lack of control by the MILF leadership of its armed troops was evident in the Mamasapano clash when the MILF contingent ignored calls for a ceasefire in the early morning of January 25. The joint ceasefire committee was only able to enforce the ceasefire at 3 to 4 p.m. that same day when the bodies of the Special Action Forces were already strewn all over the cornfield.

Since the MILF 105th base command has not cut its ties with the BIFF, Alejano said that it would be easy for their respective troops to change uniforms depending on the situation.

Alejano said that reports on the ground showed that the MILF and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters have maintained “interchangeable” troops in anticipation of a rejection of the BBL or approval of a watered-down BBL.

He said this was the reason why the recruitment of more MILF members and more joint training with the BIFF during the ceasefire with government should be a cause for alarm.

“The MILF wants a bigger clout in the future. What if the BBL is not passed? They will have a much bigger force by then. This is not faithful to the peace agreement,” said Alejano. “They are not training for politics, or election, they are holding military training.”

But according to Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II, the House of Representatives has no choice but to approve the BBL because the alternative would be the resumption of war with the MILF.

“We have to come out with something, we cannot just quit and let things unfold without doing anything. Because if we do so, we are practically telling the MILF to continue their fight. That’s it. That will be our posture,” said Gonzales.

Gonzales said that the MILF could not demand that the BBL would be faithful to the draft agreement it signed with government negotiators because members of Congress were not part of those talks. “If the MILF had wanted that in the first place, they should have included the lawmakers in the initial discussions,” said Gonzales.