MILF group stopped from setting up office in Zambo City

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines– The Malaysia-led International Monitoring Team (IMT) and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) yesterday prevented a Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) group from setting up a Bangsamoro office in this city ahead of the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement with the government.

The IMT told the MILF group in a dialogue at the gymnasium in Barangay Cawit, a coastal village west of the city proper, that any structure set up before the signing of the accord is not sanctioned and illegal.

Malaysian Army Col. Zol Hashim, head of IMT Team 3, also requested the MILF group to dismantle the structure it had put up in Barangay Cawit.

“To the MILF on the ground, please do not do anything foolish that may hinder, jeopardize the peace process. Don’t do anything please, unless this thing (peace agreement) will be signed, then let us wait for the letter of instruction from them (central committee),” Hashim told the MILF group.

The plan of the MILF group, with 3,000 members, to establish its Bangsamoro political office was learned after the group led by Jursalin Nursalin, acting as mayor, and Alex Baris, sitting as barangay zone chairman, submitted a letter of request to Barangay Cawit chairman Rey Modillas.

Modillas immediately sought clarification with the government’s Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG), if the plan of the MILF group has legal basis and sanctioned by the MILF leadership.

Maj. Abe Sirajan, AHJAG team leader who was tasked by the OPAPP to look into the matter, said the MILF Central Committee has not sanctioned the setting up of a Bangsamoro office here.

Sirajan said the MILF leadership also reiterated that it respects the stand of the Zamboanga City government against being part of the Bangsamoro entity.

“Clearly, they have no instruction and the establishment of the Bangsamoro office was not sanctioned,” he said.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar reminded the MILF group that the city is not part of the Framework Agreement of the Bangsamoro or other forms of autonomy. 

Salazar urged the MILF leadership to inform their members what the peace process is all about to prevent them from making misrepresentations.

Hashim also saw the need for the MILF to inform its members of the current peace negotiations with the government.

“There appears to be misconception on the part of some members on the ground due to lack of information,” Hashim said.