MILF denies it is engaged in mining activities

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  -  A senior leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has  denied the organization is conducting any mining activity in any parts of Mindanao, including this city, following reports its members have conducted exploration activity.

Ghazali Jaafar, MILF vice chairman, also expressed disgust over the report that could imperil the current peace agreements signed with the Philippine government for the creation of the Bangsamoro region.

“Mining is not part of the agenda of the MILF and our people are not engaged in such activity,” Jaafar told local radio here in reaction to reports by the city government that MILF members here led by a certain Bob Jumadil were on  a mining exploration last July 31 in the village of Baluno, east of this city.

Jaafar said the city should have verified the case with them to determine whether the reported group involved is in the MILF roster “or merely using the name of the organization.”

Jaafar said that while mining is allowed in any parts of the country, provided it  has secured  permit from the proper agencies, the MILF has not allowed any of its members to engage in the activity.

The MILF reacted when the city government presented the case directly to the Office of the President Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) to stop the alleged mining activity.

City Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, who brought up the case to Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Teresita Deles, said  the activity of the group of Jumadil was a clear violation of the proposed agreements even as the city is not part of the areas proposed to be under the Bangsamoro Region.

Climaco-Salazar  has said Deles has directed the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostility (CCCH) to look into the allegation.