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| MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari |
“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.
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| Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan |
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)