MILF slams Zambo City ‘discourtesy’

MANILA, Philippines - The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) yesterday criticized the alleged cold treatment shown by the city government of Zamboanga for the Bangsamoro Transition Council (BTC).

In an editorial posted on its website luwaran.com, the MILF said the action of the city government was meant to divide the people.

It described the alleged treatment as a “classic display of discourtesy” and “gutter politics at its height.”

“Clearly, there is suppression of ideas in Zamboanga City. Individual or even collective right to freedom of speech and political opinions are curtailed,” it said. 

Last week, local officials and residents of Zamboanga City walked out of a forum of the BTC to express their opposition to the creation of a Bangsamoro political entity.

A panelist of the BTC reportedly called on the leaders and local residents to join the political entity, saying this would result in development for the city.

The appeal was reportedly greeted with boos and a walkout by local residents, which previous reports claimed, was encouraged by Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco- Salazar.

The city government has denied snubbing the BTC, saying Salazar had requested the holding of a public forum to reach out to a wider portion of the community.

“The mayor thought it is wise to have the BTC meet with the different stakeholders given the city’s united and firm stand on exclusion from any Bangsamoro entity,” said Sheila Covarrubias, the city government’s public information officer.