MILF says Zambo attack weakens Misuari's leadership

MANILA, Philippines - Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder Nur Misuari’s declaration of independence and the attack in Zamboanga City cast doubt on his leadership, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said Monday.

In an editorial posted on its website luwaran.com, MILF said Misuari has “virtually crossed the Rubicon” or passed a point of no return when he ordered the assault on Zamboanga City.

Misuari, has disowned the actions of his followers, who occupied five coastal villages in Zamboanga City last week and held hostage about 180 people.

“We are not saying Misuari is already downed. If there is a way, frankly speaking, we do not want that to happen,” the editorial read.

“But his (Misuari) declaration of independence and ordering the assault of Zamboanga City is a wild move that can cause him great trouble, perhaps a gradual slipping into oblivion,” it added.

The MILF is a breakaway group of the MNLF, which forged a peace deal with the government in 1996. The MILF broke away from the MNLF because it rejected the peace agreement, which was signed under the Ramos administration.

“The ill-effects are surely reaching him (Misuari) by now. More seriously, the moral legitimacy of his leadership is seriously doubted now,” MILF said, adding that the atrocities that came with the Zamboanga siege could not be easily forgotten.

MILF said while the Misuari forces might not have committed all the excesses, losers in war usually get all the blame.

The siege, MILF said, had effectively revived the old wounds of animosities between Moros and Christians, which it claimed “are more alive in Zamboanga City.”

The group believes the extent of the damage of the siege would also seriously impact on the government.

“Very surely, President Benigno Aquino III is encountering great difficulty in figuring out the better policy option he would adopt,” MILF said.

These options, MILF said, include filing a case and arresting Misuari, sanitizing him from any guilt of the siege and continue dealing with him or launch military actions against him and his forces.

“None of the three options yield clear advantage to the government. All are laden with serious negative consequences. Perhaps, the best option is to choose the lesser evil. Or better still, look for the best option, which we are not sure there is any available,” MILF said.

Military data released Monday showed that the death toll from the Zamboanga crisis has risen to 62. Majority of the fatalities, 51 of them, were followers of Misuari, six were members of security forces and five were civilians.

The clashes have also left 112 persons wounded.