MEMBERS of the Moro rebel groups Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) are urging the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to replace biased poll officials and allow soldiers and police to oversee the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite instead.
In a press conference on Friday, February 1, the rebel groups are concerned that some forces are out to stop the inclusion of the six towns of Baloi, Pantar, Munai, Tangkal, Tagoloan, and Nunungan into the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The groups said, these forces are "trying to stir rejection of the BOL to preserve their political bailiwick".
Although they did not mention these "forces," it is known that Lanao del Norte officials, have been campaigning the No vote to their constituents.
The groups add, that while they respect their stand, "their methods are suspicious and seemingly hiding a dark plot".
Lawyer Salahoden Benhamza, legal counsel of the MILF-North Western Mindanao Front said reports of vote buying have reached them.
Massive misinformation and disinformation are also prevalent, including threats to cut conditional cash transfer and senior citizens benefits to Christians and Muslims if they vote yes to the BOL.
Benhamza warned that failure to achieve their desired result would cause tension especially among youth members of the MILF.
"Sa part ng MILF, hindi na kami terrorist group, recognized na kami internationally, alam na ng MILF yung mga violations, yung international law, na hindi natin pwede idaan sa dahas, pero ang kinakatakutan namin is yung mga kabataan," he said.
"Nakita niyo yung resulta ng giyera sa Marawi, kung tutuusin, yung mga split away group, bunga yan ng pagkaantala ng peace process. Kung ma failure itong 6 municipalities na hindi masama sa BARMM, we expect na merong lilitaw na mga grupo ng kabataan, yan yung kinatatakutan namin," he added.
Benhamza said that not all MILF members are "educated or mature" and that their frustration and disappointment of the possible results could result to an uprising, that they may not be able to control.
Civil society organization Pakigdait Inc., Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, The Asian Foundation held a two-day reflective listening forum of the MILF and MNLF field commanders at N hotel last week.
Abelardo Moya, Pakigdait Inc. director said the forum aims to give both groups a space to talk on the upcoming BOL plebiscite this February 6.
During the forum, Moya said they created four different scenarios or outcomes of the BOL plebiscite: first, achieving a double majority vote, second, not all of the 6 municipalities will be included in the BARMM or third all of the 6 municipalities will vote No, and fourth, the plebiscite will not proceed because of escalating violence.
"We gave possible counters kasi mahalaga na galing sa kanila yung actions dahil sila yung nasa ground. Lahat naman tayo ayaw na nating maulit yung war and that's precisely the intention of this gathering, we put together the MILF and MNLF because they are the conflict actors and they are key to our peace-building approach," Moya said.
Fr. Chito Suganob, chair of the Pakigdait's board Interfaith leaders said BOL is the answer to the decade-long peace problem in Mindanao.
Suganob called on the Lanao people to unite and vote with discernment.
The BOL, according to the Moro rebel groups, will pave the way for a solid foundation for empowerment and economic advancement.
The BARMM will have more powers and will receive an annual unconditional budget allocation, some P60 billion to P70 billion, from the national government, making it more independent.
It will also have a parliament, to be composed of representatives from the current ARMM provinces, additional territories that voted to join BARMM, and representatives for women, Christians, and indigenous peoples.