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South-East Asia

MILF chief reiterates demand for independent Islamic State

Hamid Papang

The struggle to establish an independent Islamic State in Mindanao, southern Philippines, is far from over even if peace talks are underway with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Headed by Ustad Hashim Salamat, the MILF has been engaged in talks with the Manila regime since last April. The more ‘moderate’ Islamic group, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) of Nur Misuari, struck a deal in September 1996, nudged by such ‘Muslim-friendly’ regimes as those in Indonesia.

Hopes aroused by the Manila regime of president Fidel Ramos that the Muslim uprising in southern Philippines was over now that the MILF had also joined the peace talks were dashed last month. Ustad Hashim Salamat reaffirmed on December 18 that ‘what we are asking from the government is to return what they have taken away from us... the independent Islamic State.’

Ustad Salamat made the remarks in a meeting with reporters in the town of Butig on the southern island of Mindanao where thousands of his supporters were holding a general assembly. ‘Full freedom cannot be exercised without independence,’ he said. Asked how this would be achieved, Ustad Salamat said: ‘If the government does not use civilized ways, we are ready to fight now. In fact, we have been fighting with the army.’ But he also insisted that ‘we will use peaceful means to achieve our goals.’

Asked about the peace talks, Salamat said: ‘The outcome of peace talks will depend on the sincerity of government.’ Alim Abdul Aziz Mimbantas, head of the MILF peace panel, however, struck a hopeful note: ‘We see sincerity in government.’ He added the talks could go a long way.

Talks between Manila and the MILF started last April but they have broken down frequently with the Philippine army attacking MILF positions and even executing farmers under the pretext of fighting guerrillas. The MILF, with an estimated 10,000 fighters, refused to accept the deal signed in September 1996 by the MNLF chief Misuari which it said fell far short of their demands.

Misuari was appointed head of a special development agency and governor of a four-province Muslim autonomous region. Other groups - MILF and the Abu Sayaf group - rejected the deal as a sell-out since it fell far short of the 13 provinces covered in the Tripoli (Libya) accord of 1976 which formed the basis for subsequent talks.

Asked about the possibility of working with Misuari, Ustad Salamat said: ‘Now that he is no longer a revolutionary and he is with the government, I am not comfortable working with chairman Misuari.’

The Moro struggle has gone on for 24 years with an estimated 200,000 people, almost all of them Muslims, killed by the Philippine army. The MILF broke away from the MNLF when the latter entered into talks with the Manila regime without securing agreement on the minimum demands of the Moros.

The Muslims of southern Philippines have two major concerns. Their ancestral lands have been inundated by Christian settlers changing the demographic composition radically. Not very long ago, these islands were predominantly Muslim. Now the Muslims have been reduced to a minority. And they see the preservation of their culture and religion only in the establishment of an independent Islamic State.

Exactly a year ago, more than a million Muslims had gathered at Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao province to press their demand for an independent Islamic State. The rally was attended by people from all walks of life including religious leaders, professionals, farmers and students.

Although peace talks between Manila and the MILF have gone on since last April, many people in the South see the regime speaking with a forked tongue. While negotiators hold talks, the Philippine army carries out attacks against MILF bases. Last July, the army violated its own unilaterally-declared ceasefire when it attacked the MILF Abubakar camp in Maguindanao province.

There are other complaints as well. For instance, president Ramos promised US$2.1 billion in development aid to support programmes in poor areas of Mindanao after meeting Misuari last July. Little of that money has been forwarded even to the moderate Misuari, who is now part of the government set-up.

Presidential executive secretary Ruben Torres blamed bureaucratic red tape for project delays. A Muslim professor at the University of the Philippines said the peace deal with Misuari produced high expectations among Muslims ‘but despite government promises, they see nothing.’ She added: ‘There has been a big let-down.’

She warned: ‘What is dangerous here is that young Muslims who have not gone to school and have nothing to do may be tempted to join the rebels. Then we will have continuous fighting even beyond the year 2000.’

Perhaps this is what Manila wants. The Philippines military may be under the illusion that it can outlast the mujahideen. This is a mistake others have made in the past and paid dearly for it.

Muslimedia: January 1-15, 1998


Article from

Crescent International Vol. 26, No. 21

Ramadan 02, 14181998-01-01


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