MILF reaches out to Church on creation of sub-state

MANILA, Philippines - The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has consulted the Catholic Church regarding its draft of the proposed comprehensive pact with the government, including plans for a sub-state in Mindanao.

A CBCP News report said MILF peace panel chair Mohagner Iqbal met with bishops in Davao on Wednesday.

“We request you to examine it very closely; whether our proposal signals the demise of other groups, or whether it is framed on extremism that defies logic and moderation; or it is a menu that honestly prescribes living and letting others live in peace, love and harmony,” Iqbal told the bishops.

They asked the Church leaders, led by Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla, to determine if the draft was “harmful.” He asked for their support if they find it suitable.

“In this hard conflict in Mindanao that defies solution for almost four decades already, there is no place for ambivalence; time is up to call a spade a spade,” he said.

The peace panel from the MILF side has been consulting stakeholders since early this month.

They are now on the fourth leg of their “roadshow” to inform stakeholders of a “win-win formula that would benefit not only the Moros and the indigenous peoples but also the Filipinos and the government in Manila.”

This is to show that “men of religion like you profess it exactly as we do, as what the Christian Bible says: ‘Truth hurts, but it sets you free.’”

He said the move is also to avoid a repeat of the effects of the aborted Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain in 2008.

Asked for reaction, Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo said: “This is not for the bishops to say yes or no to a particular provision. We are here to listen, make some observations.”

Other bishops present in the meeting were Bishops Romulo dela Cruz of Kidapawan, Wilfredo Manlapaz of Tagum and Davao Auxiliary Bishop George Rimando.

MILF officials present include Datu Mike Mastura, Professor Abhoud Syed Lingga, Datu Antonio Kinoc, Datu Jun Montawil, and Ustadz Mohammed Shuaiob Yacob, executive director of Bangsamoro Development Association.