PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan --Governor Jose Alvarez has
raised the possibility that the Muslim communities here will face difficulty
accessing the PHP96-million livelihood support fund if the Moro National
Liberation Front (MNLF) factions will continue to assert the Bangsamoro Armed
Forces (BAF).
Alvarez’ statement came in the wake of reports that MNLF factions in
the province are recruiting members to toughen the BAF by offering fancy
compensation, other perks, and President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign for
federalism.
The province’s leader staunchly stated there is no “Bangsamoro”
self-directed political entity in Palawan that he recognizes, only “Muslim
brothers”.
“There is nothing like that. They need to go to the Western Command
(WESCOM), and ask permission there. In OPAPP (Office of the Presidential
Adviser on the Peace Process) it’s not allowed,” Alvarez stated in an
interview.
Organization activities are okay, he added, provided "they are for
livelihood and peace and order; not toughening the Bangsamoro army."
“If our brother Muslims organize for livelihood and peace and order, we
will support… I will immensely support them. But if you don’t like peace and
order in Palawan, then what you are doing is wrong,” he said. He added Palawan
is non-combatant and does not belong to the Bangsamoro territory; neither is it
part of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
Juanito Lacubtan, spokesperson of the Palawan Unified Command (PUC)
told the Philippine News Agency on Friday that it "is sad to learn"
about Alvarez’ statement.
PUC is the alliance that fosters goodwill between the Yusop Jikiri and
Nur Misuari MNLF factions in the province.
“We want to clarify everything to the governor, and we have written to
him two weeks ago to make clarifications, but until today we have not received
any call for a meeting with him,” Lacubtan said.
On the exclusion of the Bangsamoro army, Lacubtan said the OPAPP should
make clarification about it to Misuari and to local government officials in
Palawan.
The Palawan Unified Command-Bangsamoro Armed Forces-Moro National
Liberation Front (PUC-BAF-MNLF), he stated, is headed in the province by Sahak
Antoyong, their commanding general.
“We are waiting for OPAPP so this can be clarified,” said Lacubtan,
who, in a media conference on Wednesday, vehemently denied they are recruiting
members.
He maintained that under the Tripoli Agreement of 1976, which has been
expanded over the years, Palawan remains part of the Bangsamoro region with 12
other areas in Mindanao.
On the other hand, MNLF Jikiri faction senior leader Estino Jairi
Ayyobie, also in an interview with PNA on Friday, agrees with Governor Alvarez.
Ayyobie said there should be no recruitment for Bangsamoro army unless
a clarification has been made by OPAPP.
“What he (Governor Alvarez) said was true, and this is the reason why
we are requesting for a schedule from OPAPP to come here to make
clarifications, and to provide us a copy of the enabling law, or tell us about
the implementing mechanisms of the peace process,” Ayyobie said.
On doing away with the BAF in the province, he enlightened that no
provincial leader of any MNLF faction is authorized to do it as “it is
high-level discussion.”
He assured that under the MNLF Jikiri faction, no recruitment or reactivation
of any inoperative member is being done so far.
“We have a very good relationship with the national government under
President Duterte. Governor Alvarez is right, if OPAPP has not confirmed or
clarified anything, then nothing should be honored,” he said.
On July 10, the AFP’s WESCOM warned factions of the MNLF in Palawan to
stop recruitment as it was sowing fear among the people and is prohibited under
the peace agreement.
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