24 November 2007, Future Global Network (FGN), an NGO dedicated to peace and solidarity of humanity, registers its support for the ‘revival’ of the peace accord between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) held in Jeddah , Saudi Arabia under the auspices of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) on November 10-12, 2007. As a concerned Muslim Non-Government Organization (NGO), FGN has been supportive of the 1996 Final Peace Accord, since the undersigned was then president of the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM).

 

Call to Free Misuari           

We call upon the Philippine government to release MNLF leader Nur Misuari from house arrest to enable him to help in the peace restoration and reconstruction efforts. Misuari may have committed some mistakes in the past, but he should not be left out in the new development and peace process.

Conflict with MILF Accord           

Definitely there is a conflict of interest in the on-going peace negotiations between the Philippine government (GRP) and the two Moro Fronts. There should not have been a separate negotiation over the same Moro territory. Anyhow, whatever shortcoming there is, that can be sorted out by a mixed committee composed of representatives from the GRP, MNLF, MILF and OIC in the spirit of openness and the highest interest of the Bangsamoro people, of which both the MILF and MNLF must agree.

 ‘Capitulation’ Agreement         

 Apparently, Misuari had sacrificed his credibility and mass support when he signed the lopsided Final Peace Accord (FPA) with the GRP. It was exacerbated when he swore allegiance to the Philippine Constitution, which was interpreted as an act of capitulation by most of the MNLF Central Committee members who immediately distanced themselves from the Agreement. It led to serious split within the MNLF, with at least three other major factions emerged, the more significant of which being the Executive Committee of Fifteen (EC-15) that later voted Hatimil Hassan as its chairman. But due to lack of logistics and popular support, the new factions stagnated. While Misuari managed to maintain his loyal field commanders.Misuari unceremoniously replaced all the rebel CC members with new faces, and attempts by Libya and other Muslim nations to reunite the MNLF failed as some factions put up pre-conditions. The EC-15 lately agreed to reunite with Misuari without pre-condition.

Philippines Grave Faults

While the MNLF factions were busy with their in-fighting, the Philippine government also had a field day subverting the Peace Agreement. Laws were legislated in Congress to effectively shelve the FPA into oblivion. In effect, R.A. 9054, the law that governs the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) contained not a single article of the FPA. Irked by the insensitivity of the GRP, Misuari equally blundered by declaring war unilaterally in 2001. But, unable to sustain the repercussion in his jungle hideout, he fled to Sabah where he was arrested and repatriated to face detention without trial until today.

Chances to recoup lost grounds           

 The effect of the government’s overt miscalculation in toying up with the Agreement has equipped Misuari with a wide range of option to recoup lost pride. Its failure to implement the FPA accordingly, can also be used by the MNLF chairman to officially declare the Agreement null and void, and revert to the MNLF original objective of self-determination and independence. His dilemma, however, is that of being still under detention. Otherwise, the moment he declares the reversion to the original objective, all the Moro freedom fighters who have kept distance from the “autonomy” are expected to support him again. He has the logistics and the connections to revive the euphoria of the once popular armed mass movement. If that happens, there is no stopping him short of total liberation of the Moro homeland. Even those who had shifted support to the MILF lately may return to the MNLF bandwagon. And the MILF may have to support Misuari if they do not want to lose the support of their own people.

 Victory or Martyrdom!?

The painful experience of having made to swallow their pride and the bitterness of enemy treachery and deceit, have tempered the Bangsamoro people’s yearning to revert to the original objective with their battle cry, “Victory or Martyrdom”! They have been highly disappointed, disillusioned and disheartened by what they said as government’s broken promises, duplicity and deceit; which blame, included Nur Misuari, as one time governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). But Misuari and Parouk Hussin, who succeeded him as ARMM governor for another term, have admitted that there was nothing much they could do except to administer the Office. There was no budget allocation for economic and rural developments. It is hoped that the situation is not yet too late for regrets. But the writing on the wall is getting clearer by day, that Misuari still holds the key. To the masses of the Bangsamoro people and freedom fighters, the choice seemed to have narrowed down from what they termed as “worthless autonomy” to “Self-Determination and Independence or Martyrdom!”   


AHMAD AZAM ABDUL RAHMAN
Chairman, Future Global Network (FGN); and
Council Member, Union of NGOs in the Islamic World (UNIW)