A TOP ranking leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) admits he was impressed by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte's stance against illegal drugs during the mayor's visit at the MILF Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao on Saturday.
MILF's vice chair for political affairs Ghazali Jaafar said that while he was already impressed with how Duterte has transformed Davao into one of the country's most progressive cities, what really caught their interest is the city mayor's effective performance against drugs.
"Kung narinig natin yung pronouncements niya, sinabi niya na aalisin niya ang drug syndicates at criminals, yun ang gustong-gusto namin," Jaafar said.
He added that once a person becomes addicted to illegal drugs, he will eventually lose his value in the society.
He also explained that they consider illegal drugs as "haram" or forbidden in Islam.
Jaafar pointed out the posters by the roadside inside their camp that says, "Illegal drug is haram", to constantly remind their people that they should stay away from this.
He added that it will never be tolerated within their territory.
Duterte was the first presidential candidate to visit the MILF camp and was received with a warm welcome by several members and residents in the area who were wearing Duterte shirts and ballers with the words, "Duterte for President."
But made it clear in his speech that he did not visit the camp to campaign as he acknowledged their independence.
"I am here to plead to you to just postpone any action or decision that might derail the peace process. For after all, it is a commitment by the government not by an administration," he said.
Earlier this year, MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim issued a statement, saying their disappointment and dismay on the non-passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. (CCC)