ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – There is no truth to reports that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is engaged in mining activity in any part of Mindanao, including this city, an MILF leader said yesterday.
Ghazali Jaafar, MILF vice chairman, expressed dismay over the alleged incident, which could imperil a peace agreement that the group signed with the government for the creation of the Bangsamoro region.
“Mining is not part of MILF’s agenda and our people are not engaged in such activity,” Jaafar told a local radio station here in reaction to an allegation by the city government that MILF men, led by a certain Bob Jumadil, conducted mining exploration in Barangay Baluno last July 31.
Jaafar said the city government should have first verified the report with them to determine whether the group involved really belongs to MILF or merely using the name of the organization.
Jaafar said while mining is allowed provided they first secure legal documents, the group does not tolerate any of their members to engage in this activity.
The MILF’s reaction came after Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar brought the case before Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Teresita Deles.
Climaco-Salazar said Deles ordered the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostility to look into the allegation.