MILF suspends Kabalu for deal with Bro. Eddie

SULTAN KUDARAT, Maguindanao , Philippines  – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has suspended Eid Kabalu as the rebel group’s spokesman and civil-military relations chief for forging a political alliance with Bangon Pilipinas Party (BPP) standard-bearer Eddie Villanueva and other candidates.

In a statement posted on the MILF website, www. luwaran, Kabalu was suspended for six months from April 12 to Oct. 12.

The members of the MILF’s central committee, chaired by Al-Haj Murad, were reportedly irked by Kabalu who had signed as a witness on a covenant enjoining Villanueva’s BPP, the MILF, and different sectors in the South to cooperate in promoting the peace process if the presidential bet was elected.

The MILF said Kabalu had also allegedly met secretly to “discuss politics” in recent weeks with the MILF’s bitter enemy, North Cotabato Vice Gov. Emmanuel Piñol, who is a candidate for governor in his province.

Kabalu also met recently with Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar, wife of Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar, and NP senatorial candidate Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Sammy Al-Mansoor, chief of staff of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, said Kabalu violated one of their revolutionary policies that banned rebel leaders and members from forging political alliances with candidates during local and national elections.

“You have arrogated unto yourself powers and authority beyond your official capacity that put the MILF in a bad light and odd stance,” stated the order suspending Kabalu, which Al-Mansoor signed Monday.

Kabalu met with Villanueva and BPP vice presidential bet Perfecto Yasay, and the MILF spokesman even signed as witness to a covenant Villanueva and Yasay had entered into to bring closure to the Mindanao conflict.

Under the “Covenant with the Muslims, Christians, Indigenous People and the People of Mindanao,” Villanueva and Yasay agreed that the stalled peace process shall be pursued with all stakeholders and concluded with mutual sincerity and utmost seriousness.

They also committed to convene a Constitutional convention to submit, propose, and support the adoption of a federal form of government “as a final and permanent solution to the pursuit of peace and progress in Mindanao.”

However, the BPP maintains that Mindanao shall remain an integral part of the Philippine Republic “under one national government and flag, all committed to bring and build a strong, vibrant and progressive Filipino nation.”

“The autonomy of Mindanao will be pursued giving the (island region) its right to self-determination within the framework of the Constitution,” declared Villanueva and Yasay in the covenant.

The MILF has long been protesting the government’s assertion of constitutional restraints in conceding territory, a governing mechanism and administrative and political powers to the rebel group.

The MILF’s news website said the covenant Kabalu signed with Villanueva is not binding to the front.

Kabalu also reportedly held “closed door meetings” with certain politicians running for various elective positions in North Cotabato, including Pinol, who was earlier named “anti-Moro, anti Muslim” in a fatwah (edict) issued by a group of Islamic theologians that declared forbidden for their followers any candidate that they consider not supportive of the MILF’s bid for self-rule in the South.

The MILF adopts a hands-off policy on Philippine elections, which the rebels consider as “divisive, partisan and corrupting, in addition to the fact that only people with gold, guns and goons win.”

Kabalu reportedly met with Rep. Marcos on April 13 in Compostela Valley. With Nonong Baliao, Alexis Romero