Zambo stakeholders cZambo stakeholders call for MNLF, other groups’ involvement in peace processall for MNLF, other groups’ involvement in peace process

By Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY - In a public forum that one might consider to be emotionally-charged, various representatives from the different sectors here have called for the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) composed of government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) representatives to involve the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and even the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and other groups such as the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in the peace process and the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. 

“Sana po magkaisa na lang tayo, sana po bigyan ninyo ng pansin ang ibang grupo,” (Let us all be united, and we hope that other groups would also be given attention), said Sheik Mahir Gustahah of Darul Iftah. 

“You already committed the first mistake of excluding the MNLF. Please do not commit another. Zamboanga City has already suffered a lot,” said Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, an Italian priest based in the city and founder of the Silsilah Dialogue Movement. Other participants coming from different religious denominations, sectoral and civil society groups voiced similar concern. 

In an early morning interview at RMN, Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco –Salazar reiterated the people’s call to involve the other groups. “Hinde lang deve exclusivo para na un grupo,” (the process should not be exclusive to only one group), she said. 

‘It will not happen’

In response to the recommendations during the forum, Chairman Mohagher Iqbal of the BTC and MILF peace panel chair said: “It is an ideal thing, but it would not happen.”

“The MNLF and government’s talks are already concluded. On the other hand, the Abu Sayyaf does not want to talk to the government,” he furthered. 

But Iqbal emphasized that the Bangsamoro is nonetheless inclusive – it is for the “entire Bangsamoro people”.

‘Join the Bangsamoro, but walang pilitan’

Meanwhile, Commissioner Ahmad Sakkam of the BTC government panel invited Zamboanga City to “join the Bangsamoro”. Most of the participants strongly expressed dissent over his invitation. Earlier in the forum, Mayor Climaco-Salazar has already pronounced and reiterated the city and all its ninety-eight barangays’ firm stance against being included in the entity, directly or indirectly. 

Commissioner Raissa Jajurie of the BTC explained that the process is democratic. “Walang pilitan.” (Nobody will be forced to join).

“The government has said that it will not sign anything that it cannot deliver, or anything that is unconstitutional, and we respect that,” added Chairman Iqbal. 

The duty of the BTC and the purpose of the public forums, said Commissioner Robert Alonto, “is to inform, gather opinions so we can meet somewhere in the middle.” 

The BTC’s primary task is to draft the Basic Law that will govern the Bangsamoro entity. (PIA9)