City gov't condemns MILF's alleged mining activity in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Zamboanga City government raised a complaint against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for intrusion after some of its members allegedly conducted mining activity in an uphill village in the west coast of the city, Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said. 

Salazar said at a press briefing at the city hall Monday that the illegal mining activity conducted by the MILF members led by a certain Bob Jumadil occurred last July 31 in Barangay Baluno. 

The MILF, Salazar claimed, wanted to get samples of mineral products in Baluno, as they were already given authority to mine in any part of Mindanao.

“This is a clear violation of the peace agreement,” Salazar said.

Salazar said Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Deles immediately responded after the issue was brought to her attention.

Salazar quoted Deles as saying in her text message that the movement was illegal under the peace agreement, describing it as “unacceptable and nowhere allowed or authorized under the peace agreement.” 

Deles also directed the GPH Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities to immediately look into the complaint and for the Armed Forces of the Philippines to take the necessary action, said Salazar.

Deles also informed Salazar that the issue was already raised with their MILF counterpart Malik Karil, MILF in-charge in Western Mindanao, who advised Jumadil, MILF city political chair, to stop all activities, including the mining exploration that could irritate the city officials and could adversely affect the ceasefire and the peace process.

“We will not tolerate such disturbances to the peace process,” Deles told Salazar.

Salazar stressed that Zamboanga City and all its 98 barangays, including its municipal waters, is not part “and will not be part of the Bangsamoro territory.”

“And we appeal to all parties to please respect the ongoing finalization of the peace accord,” Salazar said. 

Salazar said she has already reminded Mohagher Iqbal, MILF chief negotiator and chair of the Bangsamoro Transition Committee, during his recent visit in this city to patrol the MILF ranks, citing that any unauthorized action by the so-called MILF members will be jeopardizing the peace process.

She said it was the second time that the said MILF group violated the peace agreement when it also attempted to establish a satellite office in Barangay Cawit, a village nearby Baluno.

Salazar said they will not file case but it will be up for the GPH peace panel to act on the case.