MNLF declares Nur Bangsamoro 'president'

COTABATO CITY - Even before the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) could succeed in the creation of an independent Muslim state in the South, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has declared its chieftain, Nur Misuari, as the "president of the Bangsamoro homeland" in a gathering in North Cotabato last week.

Will this MNLF move pit Misuari in a collision course with his rival, MILF chieftain Ustadz Salamat Hashim, an Egypt-trained Islamic theologian?

"Not likely," said a highly placed source, pointing out that the title was merely in recognition of Misuari's efforts to represent the Bangsamoro people vis-a-vis foreign governments, international organizations and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), which helped broker the Sept. 2, 1996 peace accord between the government and the MNLF.

The Bureau of Public Information of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which Misuari heads as governor, said the title also bespeaks of Misuari's stature as a "great Bangsamoro leader," personifying the Bangsamoro people, or Southern Philippines' indigenous communities.

The BPI-ARMM said the MNLF's Sebangan Kutawato State Revolutionary Committee conferred the title on Misuari during the recent celebration of the front's 32nd anniversary in Matalam, North Cotabato.

The source said former MNLF combatants, as well as Christians and highlanders, passed a resolution bequeathing the title to Misuari.

"In fact, (many others) have bestowed titles to Misuari such as Datu Seri Panglima, Doctor of Humanities, Datu Matuus, Datu Sumagayan, Timuay Labi and Matikadeng Dadaneg, which are all synonymous to supreme and paramount leader," the source said.

The source also cited the 1998 peace award conferred by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization on Misuari and former President Fidel Ramos.

In most of the 10 southern cities and 14 provinces which the MNLF wants to group into one autonomous set-up, Misuari has been the subject of criticisms for his failure to address socio-economic and peace and order problems in poor communities in the present ARMM.