The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Fighting for peace and freedom or for vested interest?

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)Fighting for peace and freedom or for vested interest?By: Pablo Basa

Manila, Philippines – After the tragic death of the forty four (44) commandos of Philippine National Police – Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) in their engagement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) at Mamasapano, Maguindanao. It left us a question as to why it happened or what really happened? Why does the MILF overkilled our agents of peace in midst of peace talks of our government to them? What are the ideologies and way of thinking of these rebels to revolt to our government? And why does they seek freedom, autonomy in our country when in fact, it is a democratic one?

History of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is a Philippines-based rebel group made up of local Moro Muslims. Moro Muslims have been fighting with the government since the 1960s. The MILF is a breakaway group from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) officially in 1977. MNLF was formed by Nur Misuari envision to achieve independence of the Bangsamoro Land. As defined by the MNLF, the territory of Bangsamoro land covers Sulu, Mindanao, Palawan, and Sabah. MNLF signed a peace treaty with the government in 1976 and it brought about a serious rift in its leadership.

Hashim Salamat and 57 MNLF officers. Organized this breakaway group and initially known as "The New Leadership". Misuari expelled Salamat in December 1977, after which Salamat moved his new organization first to Cairo, Egypt and then, in 1980, to Lahore, Pakistan, where it engaged in diplomatic activities. This organization was formally established in 1984 as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. (Abuza, Zachary (2003). Militant Islam in Southeast Asia: crucible of terror. Lynne Rienner Publishers. pp. 39, 115 (note 3). ISBN 978-1-58826-237-0.)

In 1987 the MNLF agrees the government offer of semi autonomy which led to the formation of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). However the MILF refused to acknowledge this treaty and continue their insurgency operations.

Peace Talks

The Philippine government reached a preliminary peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on October 7, 2012. The agreement allows for an independent political entity in the Muslim-dominated Mindanao, located in the southwestern Philippines. Under the agreement, the independent entity can raise its own revenues and administer a Muslim-based Shariah law justice system. The Philippine government, however, will remain in control of foreign policy, monetary policy and citizenship issues (Gabriel, B. (n.d.). The History of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.).

Mamasapano, Maguindanao PNP-SAF massacre

The Philippine government (Aguino Administration) denies all allegation linking to them that they are the one who ordered the operation. As the Philippine President, His Excellency Benigno Aquino III address this issue a couple of day after the incident, he denies all allegations that he approved the operation and even cleared the names of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa and PNP suspended Director – General Allan Purisma. But who decided and panned he operation? That is still a question to all of us. Below is the structure of the Philippine National Police (photo from pnp.gov.ph)

The SAF encounter at Mamasapano, Maguindanao is a violation to peace agreement signed by the government and the MILF. The problem here is that the SAF commandos were not on a mission for anything related or will affect the MILF. They were on the mission to hunt and serve an arrest warrant to a terrorist. I believe that this terrorist like any other terrorist is a threat to national security, hence it should be seize. I also believe that these SAF commandos was confident to enter this area because a cease fire is being implemented and it is amidst of the peace talks that the Muslims in that area is longing for. But sadly to say but it is true, the MILF ignored this cease fire agreement and killed them. On the part of the MILF, any alibi that they will release it will not erase the fact that they had been killed the SAF commandos in the most inhumane way.

Continuing the Peace Talks

Continuing the peace talks for me is the best way to achieve peace in Muslim Mindanao but it should have a commitment to one another. Disarming the MILF is the best way to stop their militant way of demanding. But can we have this peace when this group will only split into two and the other will continue their insurgency operations? While the other will enter an agreement of peace and when they want to revolt in anytime they will just snap their fingers and join the revolution of the other groups? History had been very open to us. When the MNLF enter an agreement to the government a breakaway group formed and continue their way being militant. When the MILF also had an agreement to the government it gives way to another group called BIFF (bangsamoro Islamic freedom fighters). And I found it very ironical in the sense when that these groups has it better idea of plan B or supplemental plan that they can use whenever they feel underappreciate or discriminated.

Conclusion

It is in our eyes if ever we will agree that the rebels has sense, clearly as the history and available document proves us that this rebels has no commitment to peace. Even though our society is consisted of different levels of classes it should be equal to all. Any religious beliefs, political ideologies, economic standing and social class should have responsibility therefore any of these is not an excuse.

Disclaimer

This is my responsibility, any part and idea herein is my opinion and do not reflect my family, school, work and anyone who is associated with me. Feel free to comment if you find this work of me offensive. It is just my opinion and should not affect anyone, any belief and whatsoever.