MORO National Liberation Front Chairman Nur Misuari on Tuesday tagged rival Moro group Moro Islamic Liberation Front as “traitors” for abandoning the Bangsamoro cause and urged the government to dissociate from them.
While affirming his commitment to join the peace deals with the government, Misuari said he will boycott the MILF-led Bangsamoro Transition Commission, which was created by an executive order signed by President Rodrigo Duterte following his decision to organize a five-person panel to separately engage with the government.
“These are all traitors, that’s why I cannot accept them,” Misuari said. He cited the MILF’s decision to reject the 1976 Tripoli Agreement that he signed with the Marcos regime.
I hope the government will dissociate from them, otherwise I can’t forgive them. Why will they associate with traitors? They must be put in prison, they are pure and simple criminals.”
Misuari said there was no need for a new law for the Bangsamoro following the 1976 Tripoli Agreement in which the MNLF and the government agreed to give autonomy to 15 provinces and 20 cities, as well as the 1996 Final Peace Agreement that provided mechanisms to carry out the 1976 pact.
Misuari, who was given a temporary reprieve by a Pasig Court to pursue peace talks with the government, said the negotiations with the government in the 80’s created the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Asked to comment on Misuari’s statements, Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza said Misuari’s misgivings about the MILF was the reason he asked Misuari to “also organize a five-person panel.”
“That was precisely why we are engaging Misuari in a separate track,” Dureza told the Manila Standard in a text message.
Misuari’s faction opted not to participate in the BTC due to its “principled position,” Dureza said.
“Chairman Nur Misuari has a principled position since the BTC is a mechanism of the CAB. Of course, you should understand that Chairman Nur Misuari made reference to the government and the MNLF’s 1996 Final Peace Agreement. He has not yet abandoned that agreement.”
On Tuesday, Duterte signed the EO on a new and expanded Bangsamoro Transition Commission that will strive to bring together all the key peace actors and stakeholders in the implementation of all Bangsamoro accords.
The new EO has expanded the current BTC membership from 15 to 21. Ten will be named by Duterte and 11, including its chairman, will be appointed by the MILF.
In the same interview, MILF vice chairman Ghadzali Jaafar denied that the MILF members are traitors and criminals.
“We were never renegades,” Jaafar said.
“We never gave up on the fight of the Bangsamoro people. We are not outlaws. We follow laws. Our combatants are organized and have rules.”
Dureza said it would now be up to Congress to marry the recommendations of the MNLF-led panel of five and the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, which is expected to finish drafting the proposed law by next year.
The EO also mandates the BTC to recommend amendments to the 1987 Philippine Constitution.