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Sunday, April 27, 2008
Nur's release inspires MNLF to pursue peace
GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) said the release of its chairman Nur Misuari has inspired the movement to pursue with more vigor the full implementation of the 1996 Jakarta Peace Agreement and the Mindanao Independence.
According to Emmanuel Fontanilla, MNLF spokesman and legal counsel for Mindanao, the main problem of the front during Misuari's detention was direct leadership.
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"While under detention, Chairman Misuari was leading MNLF through liaison and channeling. Now that he was freed, he can directly issue instructions and provide leadership to the group," Fontanilla told Sun.Star.
Fontanilla said Misuari's release on bail was expedited by the visit of Sayed El-Masry, a special envoy from the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).
The MNLF spokesman claimed that El-Masry visited Misuari in his detention cell last April 17 to convey the Islam countries' unwavering support to the Moro leader.
The MNLF believes that Misuari was detained illegally for six years by the Philippine government based merely on two affidavits, which were not even presented in court.
"Since the affidavits were not presented in court they were mere hearsays. Imagine the government detaining a person for six years based merely on hearsays," Fontanilla lamented.
Fontanilla said that if Misuari was not allowed to post bail, the MNLF, with the help of the OIC, would bring his case to the attention of Human Rights International.
According to Fontanilla, the MNLF Davao block held a meeting in Davao City last Friday just in time for Misuari's release.
The meeting, he said, was attended by about 50 zone chairmen of MNLF from the provinces of Davao Del Norte, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao Del Sur, and Davao City.
The elected interim chair of the group dubbed "United Davao Block" was Jorge Asi, a Tausug and the current regional state chairman of the MNLF in Davao City.
Fontanilla further disclosed that upon Misuari's return to Mindanao, he would establish a base in Davao City.
"On top of his (Misuari's) plan is the strengthening of the MNLF forces, as well as the consolidation of support from highlanders and Christians," Fontanilla said.
Misuari, he claimed, will reorient MNLF leaders about the new direction of the movement and the status of the 1996 Jakarta peace accord.
Along this line, MNLF entered into a covenant with the One People, One Mindanao of former Transportation secretary Pantaleon Alvarez.
In the covenant, signed by both parties last April 21 in Davao City, the MNLF and OPM pledged to unite in pursuing the right of Mindanaoans to self-determination through legal and peaceful means.
Misuari is also expected to solicit anew international support, particularly from OIC-member countries, for the MNLF's struggle for and pursuit of self-determination.
MNLF, he said, would like the Philippine government to make an account of the implementation of the 1996 peace agreement.
"We would like the Philippine government to make an accounting of what it has accomplished as far as full implementation of the 1996 peace agreement is concerned. Obviously, it has failed to fully implement it," he said.
He claimed that if the Philippine government would ask for more time to fully implement the accord, the MNLF is willing, but it " will study whether the time being asked is reasonable."
He warned that once the Philippine government, after being given reasonable time, would still fail to fully comply with the peace agreement, then the MNLF has no other option but to "use its last card" by seeking Mindanao independence. (AZ/Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star General Santos. (April 27, 2008 issue)
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