Political bloc ready to work with MILF on anti-narcotics campaign

COTABATO CITY, Philippines - The Alliance of Lumad, Iranun and Maguindanaon (ALIM) Leaders is ready to work with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in furthering its newly-launched, rebel-styled anti-narcotics campaign.  

The central committee of the MILF, which has an ongoing peace overture with Malacañang, passed a week ago a resolution directing its forces to address the circulation of methamphetamine hydrochloride, most known as shabu, in areas covered by its ceasefire accord with the national government.  

Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu and Vice Gov. Lester Sinsuat, who are jointly overseeing the activities of ALIM, agreed during a meeting over the weekend in Davao City to link up the municipal police chiefs in the province and the MILF to legitimize the rebel group’s effort to curb circulation of drugs.

Mangudadatu said they acknowledge the effort of the revolutionary group and wants the government-MILF joint ceasefire to oversee the initiative.

“Gov. Mangudadatu and Vice Gov. Sinsuat welcomed with optimism the effort of the MILF and even wants it done as a  continuing tie-up between the MILF and the local government units in Maguindanao,” Ramil Dilangalen, who is Maguindanao’s appointed deputy governor, said on Tuesday.

Mangudadatu had said, during the ALIM meeting in Davao City, barangay officials in the 36 towns of Maguindanao and local commanders of the MILF can work together in addressing domestic drug problems.

“This is another dividend of the peace process we support wholeheartedly. The MILF can indeed play a big role, along with the police, under the guidance of the joint ceasefire committee, in curbing the drug problem besetting the local communities,” Mangudadatu said.

The government-MILF 1997 ceasefire agreement enjoins the police, MILF forces and the military to mutually cooperate in maintaining law and order in far-flung areas.

Dilangalen said Mangudadatu has a plan to convene the inter-agency provincial peace and order council to discuss how local officials, the police and the MILF can work together in carrying out a legitimate anti-narcotics campaign in the province.

The MILF has dozens of government-recognized enclaves in the 36 towns of Maguindanao.