Misuari’s 1996 peace pact with gov’t still valid – Palace

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang acknowledged yesterday the 1996 peace agreement between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) is still valid and in effect.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte dismissed insinuations that the 2012 framework agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has superseded it.

“We all agree that the 1996 agreement is still in force, and it’s not been abrogated, at least by us,” she said.

Speaking to reporters, Valte said the government has not ignored MNLF founding chairman Nur Misuari. “Does he exist at all? Of course,” she said. “You know, if we were to ignore you then, we would not respond to anything – at all.” 

Valte said Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao “spoke” with Misuari, and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles continuously coordinates with members of the MNLF.  “That’s why we have MNLF commanders that have expressed their support for the framework agreement (with the MILF),” she said. “We’ve already said that the 1996 final peace accord with the MNLF, we are not abrogating that, that’s very clear. Second, the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law seeks to benefit not just the MILF but also all those in those areas.”  

Troops, police on alert

Following Misuari’s declaration of an independent Bangsamoro Republik, police and troops in Mindanao have remained on alert.

Local governments in the affected areas have called on the national government to dialogue with Misuari for the full implementation of the 1996 peace accord with the MNLF.

Zamboanga City Mayor Ma. Isabel Climaco-Salazar said: “We don’t know what will be the effect of this declaration, but as I said before, the City of Zamboanga is for peace and the city supports the peace process of the Aquino administration.”   

Salazar said they have no direct verification of Misuari’s declaration, but that his pronouncement is an eye opener for the national government to dialogue with the MNLF, MILF and other groups. 

“If we are to achieve peace it should be inclusive to all the different groups that would want peaceful process and coexistence here,” she said.

Troops and police have heightened their guard in anticipation of possible violence by MNLF members.

Col. Andrelino Colina, Task Force Zamboanga commander, said they have improved the procedures in checkpoints and patrols are being conducted on a regular basis in areas identified as possible entry points.

“In anticipation we have heightened the alert and intelligence monitoring have been intensified on possible movement,” he said.

Colina said the military has not intercepted so far any information on any impending plot of the Misuari faction to unleash hostilities.

“There is no major plan of attack,” he said.

The military also dismissed the possibility that some former MNLF fighters integrated into the Armed Forces are being enticed to support Misuari.

In a statement, Undersecretary Jose Lorena of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process debunked Misuari’s pronouncement that the government has not   engaged the MNLF for a discussion on the 1996 peace accord.

“Our aim has always been to complete the Tripartite Implementation Review so that we can move forward with concrete actions towards the development of MNLF communities, which we have already started,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III called on Misuari to tone down his aggression and continue talking to the government to find a settlement of his issue with the peace process between the government and the MILF.

“There are other ways of asserting the just aspirations of our brother- and sister-Muslims without causing bloodshed and breaking up our Republic,” he said.

The lawmaker from Cagayan de Oro City urged Misuari to continue pushing for the creation of a federal republic.

“I suggest we work together to achieve it as one people,” he said. “To the government, I suggest that it should not pull the trigger as its knee jerk reaction. Talk them out of it. Talking is better than shooting.”  

Pimentel and his father, former Senate president Aquilino Pimentel Jr. before him, have long pushed for an amendment of the Constitution to change the form of government to federalism.      –  With Roel Pareño, Marvin Sy