BIFF men welcome in MILF—Iqbal

By: Nikko Dizon - 9 years ago

MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal. AP FILE PHOTO

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is urging followers of the late Ameril Umra Kato to return to the MILF fold following his death on Tuesday.

Many, if not all, members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) founded by Kato in 2008 were from the MILF.

MILF chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal told the Inquirer Wednesday morning that the MILF has sent a letter of condolence to the BIFF on its leader’s demise.

BACKSTORY: Son, Iqbal confirm BIFF leader Umra Kato is dead

Iqbal said the MILF would be formally inviting the BIFF to consider joining the peace process that seeks the establishment of a Bangsamoro autonomous region.

The BIFF is smaller than the MILF but has managed to wage its own war against government since 2008.

READ: Is BIFF the MILF’s ‘BFF’?

A ceasefire is in effect between government forces and the MILF fighters.

The MILF and government both continue to push for the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law that would lead to the creation of a Bangsamoro autonomous region.

While the MILF agreed to meet government halfway and acceded to an autonomous region to represent the Moro people’s right to self-determination, Kato and the BIFF continued to demand a separate state for the Moros.

Kato broke away from the MILF after the Supreme Court declared as unconstitutional the peace agreement signed in 2008 by the MILF and the government of then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.