OZAMIZ CITY (Updated) -- A top official of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said the group is willing to broker a solution to the Marawi crisis, which has entered its sixth week.
Mohagher Iqbal, chair of the MILF peace implementing panel, said there has been no formal request yet although there have been indirect overtures relayed through the media.
“It is not impossible, especially if the civilian interest is at stake. If there is a request, the MILF leadership will probably consider the idea,” Iqbal said over the phone. The MILF earlier condemned the occupation of Marawi by the Maute group.
Previous reports said Abdullah Maute, one of the Maute brothers who are leading the militants holed up in Marawi, told emissaries during an eight-hour ceasefire Sunday that his group will leave the war-torn city only if the MILF intervenes.
On Sunday, Maute reportedly told emissaries that they were also willing to swap their hostages, especially Catholic priest Teresito Suganob, with their parents, Cayamora and Ominta, who have been arrested and detained separately.
The militants are said to be unwilling to discuss with government the terms of disengagement.
Iqbal acknowledged the “sensitivity of the issue” which could give the MILF some difficulties in mapping out an action should the group be tapped.
“We know the stand of the government regarding the Maute group. We also know how the group regard the government,” Iqbal added.
The MILF is currently involved in maintaining, jointly with the government, a humanitarian and peace corridor that allows civilians trapped in Marawi to safely leave the city. So far, nearly 200 individuals have been rescued through this corridor.
The government and the MILF, which forged a peace pact in 2014, have a long history of cooperation even while negotiations for a political settlement to end the Moro rebellion were being held.
Among these cooperative efforts is driving out in 2005 scores of suspected terrorists lurking in various rebel strongholds in Central Mindanao using the ad hoc joint action group (AHJAG) mechanism.
The same mechanism was used to rescue high profile kidnap victims like Irish missionary priest Michael Sinnot, who was abducted from the Missionary Society of Saint Columban house in Pagadian City in 2009.
In Malacañang, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella maintained that the government would not negotiate with the Maute group and their demands would not be acknowledged.
Abella said the talks between special envoys and Maute brothers, Abdullah and Omar, during the eight-hour ceasefire in Marawi City on June 25 was not sanctioned by government.
“Government policy not to negotiate with terrorists remains. Hence, the local religious leader led talks with the terrorists last Sunday is one of (those) that was not sanctioned by the government, military and our political leaders,” Abella said.
“Any demands made inside therefore hold no basis,” he added.
Abella, however, said the government is also considering “all possibilities” to end the crisis, including the possible intervention of the MILF. (Ryan Rosauro/With reports from SunStar Philippines)
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