MNLF leaders ratified charter, endorsed Sulu mayor’s ARMM gubernatorial bid

The new Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Chairman, Cotabato City Muslimin Sema, delivers his speech during the 1st Bangsamoro people congress in Zamboanga City.

In an unprecedented move, top leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) led by Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema ratified the Front's first ever charter during the 1st Bangsamoro National Peoples Congress held at Amil’s Tower hotel in Zamboanga City on Monday.

Sema, the newly-elected MNLF chairman, together with senior MNLF officials, including ARMM Assemblyman Hatimil Hassan, Indanan town Mayor Alvarez Isnaji of Sulu, Secretary General Abdul Sahrin and 32 MNLF State Revolutionary Committee chairmen, signed and adopted the charter of MNLF.

"This is one primary move to unite all the members and one way of solving the problem of factionalism," Sema told reporters. "Everybody is clamoring for this charter since in the early 1970s. After this one, we have program already on a peace campaign."

Sema, in his speech, said they have come here to the city from all over Mindanao not to declare war or to make any kind of threat as their predecessor was fond of doing, but they come here to chart the direction which their beloved organization, the MNLF, must now and in the future.

"In the most consultative manner possible, we shall each hear ones ideas believing in the wisdom in the Quranic injunction to consult each other in matters of public concerns. Brothers and sisters, Brother Nur is released now at a time when we have found the strength again as a revolutionary organization," he said.

Sema furthered that they're happy for Misuari's temporary release as he truly deserves it, but said their concern now is how to make him as an instrument of peace and instrument of unity. "As I have stated before, I'll try my utmost best with the support of the members of Central Committee especially this congress to lead the Front towards clear direction and purpose."

Stressing that, "We can't afford to be like drifters in the sea. We can't afford to be just carrying our firearms shouting propaganda and do nothing substantial for ourselves and our people."

"Our people must also see that they can't only depend on us in times of armed conflict as their protectors but must also see us as their leaders in improving their lives even just in times of momentary peace.

Time in again, the MNLF has been beset with problems like factionalism that may be because of our past leader would not listen to others and partly we have become much dependent on him.

If we want the Front, the MNLF, to be spared of further factionalism, then this is the way to do it. Regular and selfless consultation, this is can promise to all of you that I will always be ready to listen to your concerns," Sema concluded.

The Bangsamoro congress saw the absence of Prof. Misuari, his spiritual adviser and chair of the Bangsamoro People's Congress Habib Zain Jali, and former Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA) executive director Mudjahab Hashim of the MNLF Islamic Council Command (ICC).

But some 800 delegates coming from Cotabato, Lanao del Sur and Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Jolo, Sulu, Surigao, and Bukidnon attended the two-day Bangsamoro conference hosted by Zamboanga City State Revolutionary Committee.

They endorsed the gubernatorial bid of Mayor Isnaji for the August 11 ARMM election. No opposition from them, when the new MNLF chairman announced the adoption of resolution endorsing Isnaji's gubernatorial bid in the upcoming Muslim autonomous region polls.

In a speech, Sema reiterated the decision made by the MNLF Central Committee during a meeting last April 1-3 in Pagadian City, where the Indanan town mayor was proclaimed as the Front's common candidate.

One of MNLF senior leaders in Basilan, Jan Jakilan, commented to reports on the gubernatorial bid of Assemblyman Hatimil Hassan, the MNLF vice chairman, saying that "it's a part of democracy but the MNLF already endorsed one common candidate."

Isnaji said the ARMM governance should be returned to the MNLF leadership as it was the Front's, through Prof. Nur Misuari, that signed the peace agreement with the Philippine government in 1996.

"We believe that the governance of the ARMM must be in the hands of the MNLF," Isnaji reiterated. "And I am very lucky or I am very much thankful that you that you chose me in the Pagadian meeting as your common candidate."

Meanwhile, Isnaji assured the MNLF and Bangsamoro delegates that he would run very well the ARMM if he is elected regional governor.

"When the ARMM governance, I assure you, if it will be returned to the MNLF I will not make any policy without consulting you," he said. HG