Friday, January 25, 2008 MNLF leaders recruiting members By Malu M. Manar Correspondent
KIDAPAWAN CITY -- Two commanders of the breakaway group of the mainstream Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) are allegedly recruiting members in North Cotabato and in other nearby areas in northern and southern Mindanao and giving them false promises, says a top MNLF commander based in North Cotabato.
MNLF regional chair Datu Dima Ambil of the Sebangan Revolutionary State Committee said the recruitment has started last week.
The recruitment, said Ambil, is led by two former top MNLF officials identified as Johnny Sugagel from North Cotabato and Kautin Usman of Davao del Sur.
Sugagel, who used to head the MNLF in North Cotabato's first district, has recruited members of their group in Bukidnon, Kabacan in North Cotabato, and in Barangay Patadon in Kidapawan City.
The recruitment activities of Usman, former brigadier general of the MNLF and was assigned in Davao del Sur, were monitored in Digos City and other towns in Davao del Sur.
Ambil said these two officials of the breakaway group, who are still loyal to MNLF chairman Nur Misuari, have assured their recruits they would be integrated as members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) or as operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
They allegedly collect from their recruits, mostly lumads from Mindanao, from P1,000 to as high as P5,000.
Those who pay higher fees have big chances of being hired immediately, said Ambil.
Ambil has made clear that he is not against the recruitment activities of Misuari's group or any Moro rebel group in his area.
"What is not acceptable, though, is when they lure people in joining their organization by giving them false promises," he said.
Ambil has urged the National Government to look into the alleged massive recruitment of Misuari's group in Mindanao.
"They are discrediting the legitimate MNLF organization. We can not accept that," he said.
Ambil fears that if this (recruitment) is not checked and stopped, this might create "another trouble" in Mindanao.
