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Monday, October 15, 2012

Misuari: If I Want War, Why Will I Give Away the Element of Surprise?

MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari
ZAMBOANGA CITY - Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Chairman Nur Misuari has assured Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan that the MNLF will not go to war even as Misuari insists that the new peace deal between the Aquino Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) may lead to war.


“I was misunderstood.  What I said was the framework (of peace) might be a recipe for a crisis which may include war,” Misuari said during a meeting with Tan who sought Misuari out Saturday amid concerns that Misuari’s earlier call for war in media may break out first in Sulu Province, the traditional center of power of the MNLF, and its 7,000 forces.

“If I want hostilities to resume, why would I announce it?  A person who understands war knows that the element of surprise is very important; I would have kept silent if that was what my intention was. In fact, I am running for ARMM governor this coming May 2013 polls. I am a politician now, we only want what is good for our people,” Tan quoted Misuari, whose rebel group has been fighting with the Philippine government for decades now, as saying.
Tan left Sulu to meet with Misuari at the latter’s residence in Barangay San Roque late Saturday after receiving reports that MNLF commanders have been “making their rounds in some parts of Sulu” and feared that this might be a prelude to war.

“Jolo and other populated areas of Sulu are always the first to feel the brunt of war from the MNLF. We must recall that Sulu was the center of the MNLF uprising in 1969 and Jolo was totally burned down in 1974 during the fiercest battle between the MNLF and the military under the Marcos Administration. We have done so much to bring progress and stability back to Sulu and I can’t allow that to happen again,’’ Tan said.

During the secret meeting between Misuari and Tan, the Sulu governor – who is known to be close to President Aquino – assured Misuari that the Aquino Government will be taking much effort to explain and consult with the people in Mindanao about the new peace framework.  

“An information campaign on the Framework Agreement will be mobilized so that our citizenry will understand what this agreement is all about and decide competently  for themselves if they want this to be part of the future of  the Bangsamoro People, ” Tan relayed to Misuari.

However, Tan revealed that Misuari was still mistrustful of the outcome of such an agreement, noting that he had signed lots of peace agreements with the government, but they were never implemented.

“In fact, claims that the MNLF was consulted on this matter were untrue. I will not tell a lie to say we were never consulted,” Misuari told Tan.

“I feel insulted about the government entering into an agreement with such a small group,”  Misuari told Tan about the MILF that broke away from the MNLF years ago. (Bong Abing and Becky D. de Asis)

Gov. Tan said that he imparted to Misuari the fact that President Aquino is determined not to ram the new deal down the throat of the Mindanao people, with the final agreement being submitted to the people for ratification.

Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan
“What is important to me is the constitutionality of the agreement and its potential to attract investments in the region to spur economic growth by resolving the question of providing a climate of good governance in the scheme of things,” Tan told Misuari.  

According to the Sulu governor, he reiterated his appeal to Misuari to let the peace process take its course and see where it will go, adding that “we must support all peace efforts as the only way to finally bring stability and progress in Mindanao".

Tan said that he got Misuari’s assurance to keep peace in Mindanao, more so in Sulu.

Last week, Misuari and Habib Mujahab Hashim, the MNLF’s Islamic Command council chair, raised strong objections to the government’s signing of the new peace accord with the MILF and threatened to return to war footing.

“Because there is no other recourse now for the (MNLF), at least the majority of the senior leaders of the MNLF, we have no other recourse but to go back to the original objective of arms struggle,” Hashim warned. (With reports from 
Becky de Asis)

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