MNLF AFFIRMS OUSTER OF MISUARI AS CHAIRMAN
INQ7.net, May 26, 2001
The Executive Council of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) affirmed
that it has ousted its long-time chairman Nur Misuari for allegedly “failing
to bring progress to Mindanao.” Misuari, however, will stay as “chair emeritus”
but without official powers, said MNLF vice chair Hadimir Hassan in a radio
interview.
Hassan, who emerged from a meeting with other members of the 15-man executive
council in Makati, said the incumbent governor of the Autonomous Region for
Muslim Mindanao would also be replaced as representative of the Organization
of Islamic Conference. His successors have not been named, Hassan added.
Hassan said Misuari has been informed of the executive council’s decision.
The vice chair assured that the “peace process between the MNLF and government
and eventually, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front will not be affected.”
He also downplayed the possibility of a breakaway by Misuari and his
supporters from the MNLF, saying the executive council is composed of leaders
from provincial committees who were chosen by the general membership.
President Macapagal has been quoted as saying that despite the ouster of
Misuari from the MNLF he would remain as the governor of the ARMM.
'SHIFTING VENUE' FOR MILF PEACE TALKS
Manila times, May 11 2001
By Jeannette Andrade
THE Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Central Committee has approved the
"shifting venue" plan for the resumption of peace talks with the government
for the separatist group said yesterday.
Eid Kabalu told THE MANILA TIMES the Central Committee, headed by Al Haj
Murad and composed of members Lanang Ali, Michael Mastura, Allan Flores and
Mad Akmad Alonto, will formally propose the scheme to the government peace
panel. In addition to Indonesia and Malaysia, the MILF Central Committee has
included Libya among the alternate venues for the peace talks during its
meetings on May 5 and 6, Kabalu said.
Holding the talks in either of the two Southeast Asian countries was
initially considered by the government as a possibility after leaders of
both Indonesia and Malaysia offered to host the negotiations with the MILF.
Kabalu said the MILF has agreed to accommodate any offer by member-countries
of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to host the talks. He said
Libya surfaced as a possible venue following the offer of President Mohamar
Khaddafi to MILF chairman Hashim Salamat through the Libyan ambassador to the
Philippines.
"Matagal na namang involved sa usapin dito sa Pilipinas ang Libya kaya isa
iyon sa mga considerations (Libya has always been involved in issues
involving the MILF in the country, which is among the considerations weighed
by the MILF in including that country as a possible venue for the talks),"
Kabalu said.
It remains unclear, though, if the government will accept Libya as a venue
for the negotiations. But Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Eduardo
Ermita said in a phone interview that a shifting venue has always been
considered a possibility by the government.
"Any of the countries offering to host the talks are acceptable," Ermita
said, adding that even Libya is a possible venue. But he clarified that the
Cabinet Cluster “E” has to discuss the pros and cons of the acceptability of
any country to host the talks.
The "shifting venue" plan was carried out by the government during its
successful talks with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) which signed
a peace agreement with the government in l996.
OIC THIMBS DOWN MISUARI'S BANGSAMORO REPUBLIK EDICT
Manila Times, May 11, 2001
The influential Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) has opposed a
resolution approved by an annual meeting of the Moro National Liberation
Front urging MNLF chairman Nur Misuari to declare a "Bangsamoro Republik"
with him as the first president.
In a report to the home office, Philippine Ambassador to Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)
Rafael Seguis said OIC secretary-general Abdulouahed Belkeziz even reiterated
the organization’s position that the Philippines maintain its "territorial
integrity."
"With a hand motion as if throwing something behind his back, he (Belkeziz)
reiterated that the OIC Charter and its member-states firmly respect every
state’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity," Seguis reported.
"(Belkeziz) reiterated that, from the beginning of President Macapagal-Arroyo’s
administration, he encouraged Her Excellency’s initiatives and welcome the
adminis-tration’s "all-out peace policy," he continued.
Seguis called on Belkeziz Tuesday to update the OIC on recent developments
in the Philippines and solicit his views on Misuari’s declaration after
being "demoted" to chairman emeritus of the MNLF by a breakaway faction
called the Council of 15 which met in Manila immediately prior to the
Zamboanga City congress.
Seguis said the OIC is well-informed on Misuari’s objections to provision in
a bill enlarging the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the
latter’s request for the plebiscite to be held in 2003.
To allow a better understanding of Manila’s position on the issue, Seguis
recommended that government prepare a "point-by-point explanation and
justification for the provisions Misuari is questioning."
Seguis noted that OIC members should each be furnished a copy so that Manila
would not be victimized by black propaganda come the OIC’s May 26 senior
officials’ meeting in Jeddah.
Analysts believe that the OIC’s position may be the reason why the Philippine
government did not fuss too much over the declaration. Government negotiator
Jesus Dureza noted that the declaration was just a recommendation from the
youth sector during the recently held 4th MNLF Bangsamoro People’s Congress
in Zamboanga City and does not enjoy the support of the MNLF central
committee.
Despite the international Muslim community’s increased awareness of Manila’s
efforts to improve the lot of local Muslim, however, the OIC is still
reluctant to award the country with observer status, which would give Manila
more clout and influence.
"(Belkeziz) humorously said that (Manila) may observe through its friends
in the diplomatic community since many diplomats in Riyadh attend OIC
meetings,"Seguis said.
MNLF: MISUARI DID NOTHING FOR 5 YEARS
Inquirer News Service, May 09, 2001
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Nur Misuari is no longer chair of
the Moro National Liberation Front, according to a resolution passed by the
MNLF’s highest policy-making body on April 28. The 40-member MNLF Central
Committee which reportedly met April 28-29, declared its "total loss of
confidence" on Misuari citing the MNLF chair’s "dictatorial, arrogant and
divisive style of leadership" and failure to bring progress in ARMM after
four years of being governor.
"Following the signing of the Sept. 2, 1996 GRP-MNLF peace agreement and
Misuari’s assumption as ARMM governor and SPCPD chair, nothing has been
accomplished with regard to the welfare of the MNLF and the Bangsamoro people
in general," read the resolution, a copy of which was shown the INQUIRER on
Tuesday.
It added that Misuari "has long ceased" to consult members of the Central
Committee and "instead adopted a dictatorial, arrogant and divisive style of
leadership that has caused further disunity and polarization" within the
MNLF.
"Nur Misuari is beyond the reach of counsel and retaining his dictatorial
leadership . . . can cause further harm and damage to the unity of the MNLF
and the Bangsamoro people," the resolution went on.
"(He) is the main stumbling block to the MNLF and the Bangsamoro people’s
march towards lasting peace and development in Southern Philippines."
The Central Committee also withdrew its support for Misuari as concurrent
ARMM governor and chair of the Southern Philippines Council for Peace and
Development (SPCPD).
Misuari, however, appears to have totally ignored the resolution and goes
about as MNLF chair. Even as the MNLF Central Committee came up with its
resolution unseating Misuari, the 4th Bangsamoro People’s National Congress
which convened in Zamboanga City April 29-30 declared a Bangsamoro Republic
with Misuari as president.
Dr. Parouk Hussin, MNLF vice chair for foreign affairs whom President
Macapagal appointed as presidential adviser for Mindanao special concerns
suspected that Misuari made the declaration to “keep the government’s
attention."
'Chairman emeritus'
Hussin said the MNLF will not renege on its 1996 peace agreement with the
government. According to the resolution, the Central Committee stripped
Misuari of his role as MNLF chair but named him "chairman emeritus."
He said they were still being kind to Misuari so they "kicked him upstairs."
"It’s about time we reform the MNLF internally. Because Misuari as (ARMM)
governor and (SPCPD) chair has not been performing for five years. We were
left with few choices. It’s either him or the Bangsamoro people," he told
the INQUIRER.
He said Misuari wasted too many opportunities for ARMM’s development amid
signs of "nepotism, corruption and incompetence" in his leadership. Hussin
however refused to elaborate much.
"Who else can you blame?" he said when asked if they put the blame for ARMM’s
failure on Misuari’s shoulders alone. A 15-member Executive Council will
take over the duties and functions of the chair. Hussin said he has already
informally notified ambassadors of Organization of Islamic Conference-member
countries.
"They said it was a very welcome development. They made it clear that the
OIC recognizes the MNLF, not Misuari, as the true representative of the
Bangsamoro people," Hussin said.
MISUARI MEETS MACAPAGAL EMISSARY
Inquirer News Service, May 07, 2001
(DAVAO CITY) Just what does Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)
governor and erstwhile Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chair Nur
Misuari want? Yesterday, President Macapagal-Arroyo’s representative met
with Misuari in Zamboanga City, but details of the meeting were kept secret.
Undersecretary Jesus Dureza, presidential assistant for regional concerns--
Southern Mindanao, would say only that he was taking up directly with
President Macapagal what he and Misuari discussed in the meeting that was
held at 6 p.m. at Zamboanga’s Garden Orchid Hotel.
Last week, the 4th Bangsamoro People’s National Congress which convened in
Zamboanga City April 29-30 declared a Bangsamoro Republic with Misuari as
president. The congress was attended by some 2,000 Muslim, Christian and
highlander delegates from all over Mindanao. It declared the 10 cities and
14 provinces in Mindanao that were covered by the 1976 Tripoli Agreement as
the new Bangsamoro Republic.
Misuari is currently ARMM governor, administering the four provinces that
make up the autonomous region. In 1996, his MNLF had signed a peace agreement
with the government, after years of bitter conflict. The declaration of the
Bangsamoro Republic has apparently caused a rift within the MNLF which
created a 15-man executive council to take over Misuari’s position and named
him "chair emeritus," a non-existent post.
MNLF legal counsel Randolph Parcasio, however, insisted yesterday the MNLF
would continue to abide by the peace agreement it signed with the government
and Misuari or the organization had nothing to do with the declaration of the
Bangsamoro Republic.
Parcasio said Misuari also did not accept the resolutions passed during the
Bangsamoro Congress. Parcasio said, however, the MNLF would continue to
demand that government fully implement the provisions of the 1996 peace
accord.
He said the Bangsamoro Republic was apparently declared by the congress in
reaction to "double dealings" and efforts by a presidential adviser in the
present administration to undermine the 1996 accord. Parcasio declined to
name the adviser except to say he was not from Mindanao.
"Because of the maneuverings of the presidential adviser, the peace agreement
between the government and the MNLF was almost damaged," he said. In Cotabato
City, Mayor Muslimin Sema said "there is nothing to worry about" with the
creation of the 15-member MNLF executive council which replaced Misuari.
He said the council was a "collective leadership which aims to strengthen
the MNLF and further strengthen the implementation of the peace agreement" it
signed with the government in September 1996. But Sema said that with the
declaration of a Bangsamoro Republic, it seems Misuari has abandoned the peace
agreement he signed with the government.
"We were surprised (by the declaration) because we have an existing agreement
with government," he said. MNLF sources said the intramurals going on in its
hierarchy was due to the "reorganization" in some sensitive positions.
In Cagayan de Oro City, lawyer Macapanton Abbas Jr., chair of the Bangsa Moro
Multi-sectoral Congress, said Misuari should resign as ARMM governor if he
did indeed set up a Bangsamoro Republic.
"Misuari would be disloyal to the government and (could be) charged with
rebellion. He should resign if he wants to declare independence," Abbas said.
Administration senatorial candidate Franklin Drilon said Saturday Misuari
should be investigated for his declaration of a Bangsamoro Republic.
"He could be committing sedition, or even rebellion, for advocating the
removal of a portion of Philippine territory," Drilon said. Candidate Manny
Villar, on the other hand, said Misuari should be fired from the ARMM
governorship, saying his latest acts come at a time the administration was
working hard to ensure peace in the country.
SEDITION RAPS URGED AGAINST MISUARI
Mindanao News Bureau, Manila Times,May 6 2001
(JOLO,Sulu) Members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Central
Committee, who earlier ousted Nur Misuari as chairman of the MNLF yesterday
urged the government to immediately order the arrest of the former rebel
leader for sedition for declaring an independent republic.
"Misuari should be arrested for sedition when he declared independence in
southern Philippines," said Misuari’s Foreign Affairs chief Dr. Parouk
Hussein.
Misuari, also governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has
publicly declared independence over the 13 provinces and nine cities in
southern Philippines, saying Manila failed to fully implement the provisions
of the 1996 peace agreement the MNLF signed with the government.
But Ibrahim Omar, chair of the MNLF information committee, tried to clarify
it by stressing the declaration was merely based on the resolution submitted
by the 4th Bangsamoro People’s National Congress (BNPC) in Zamboanga City
last week.
"The watershed decision contained in the Resolution of the Congress was
submitted to Brother Nur and the Central Committee leadership for study
approval and action," Omar said.
Meanwhile, the MNLF’s former chief lawyer yesterday warned of a possible "
purging" within the former separatist rebel group. Macapanton Abbas Jr. said
the "internal purging" would not be similar to that of the communist New
People’s Army’s (NPA) bloody campaign in Mindanao, but added the rift could
result in a major revamp in the organization and even assassinations of MNLF
leaders.
