ARMM ‘independence’ MNLF’s internal affair – AFP

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The military treated yesterday Gov. Nur Misuari’s call for "independence" as mere internal affair between quabbling officials of the Moro National Liberationt Front (MNFL).

A military spokesman here said the Armed Forces of the Philippines will not interfere in the internal affair of the MNLF as long as it will not affect the country.

But Philippine Air Force (PAF) MG520 helicopter gunships were noticeably hovering on reconnaissance flight. The military declined to comment on the aircraft’s activity.

The reaction of the military came following the statement of a senior front official that the MNLF has nothing to do with Misuari’s call for independence.

"We have nothing to do with this (declaration of Bangsamoro for independence). We disassociated ourselves with this," Dr. Parouk Hussein, MNLF foreign affair chair, said.

Hussein said if it is true that Misuari has called for MNLF independence "it is seditious and in violation with the Jakarta accord that was signed in 1996."

Col. Danilo Servando, spokesman of the Armed Forces Southern Command, said based on the field reports most of the former MNLF commanders have no knowledge or have not been consulted on the pronouncement of independence.

"But if its implication is to divide the country, the Armed Forces of the Philippines will not allow this. The AFP will prevent any group from calling for the dismemberment of the country," Servando said.

The military official also said Misuari’s call for independence has only minimal effect as they have not received any information about movement of the integrees from the MNLF who have long been considered as regular members of the AFP.

The Central Committee of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) recently adopted a resolution declaring loss of trust and confidence in the leadership MNLF chairman Nur Misuari and withdrawing their collective support him at all levels of organizational responsibility and obligations.

The Committee also stripped Misuari of all his powers as chairman and transferred them to the 15-member Executive Council. This means that the Council now has the responsibility to handle all dealings, communications or transactions of the MNLF.

The resolution cited Misuari’s failure to measure up to the standards of sincere, committed and effective leadership, his disregard for the needs and aspirations of the Bangsamoro people and his lack of vision and capacity to steward Muslim Mindanao towards peace and progress as the main reasons for their loss of trust and confidence. — Roel Pareño