PRESS RELEASE
September 11, 2001

IN another efforts to pursue peace, development, freedom and interest of the Bangsamoro people, Moro National Liberation Front Chairman Nur Misuari is crossing continents of the world to seek support for the success of the peace process between the MNLF and the Philippine government.

The MNLF founding leader, who signed the peace accord with the Philippine government on September 2, 1996, is going around countries which are members of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to explain to their governments and leaders the status of the peace accord after the government had unilaterally conducted the August 14 plebiscite for the expansion of the present 4-province Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao which the MNLF strongly rejected.

The MNLF under the leadership of Chairman Nur Misuari enjoys a permanent observer status in the OIC and recognized as the sole and legitimate representative of the Bangsamoro people to the influential pan-Islamic body.

In his meeting with the MNLF leaders in Zamboanga City before he left for Manila last week, Chairman Misuari, who is also the concurrent Regional Governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said it is proper that governments of the OIC countries must be informed of the present status of the GRP-MNLF peace process, it being the broker and mediator of the historic September 2, 1996 Final Peace Agreement which is now on the verge of collapse.

After the plebiscite, Misuari said, “practically there is no more peace agreement to talk about” between the government and the MNLF.

The first leg of Chairman Misuari’s several days of travel abroad was in Bangkok, Thailand where he attended the invitation of House Speaker Jose de Venecia in an apparent government last ditch to save the peace process from the brink of collapse. The meeting, however, bore no positive result after de Venecia, just like before, promised moons and the stars to the MNLF leader, which include juicy positions in the government.

After Bangkok, the MNLF leader would proceed to the Middle East to visit various countries, which include the Gulf States and Saudi Arabia where the Headquarters of the OIC is located. He said there is a need to inform the leaders of these countries on the status of the peace process because they are very supportive to the plight of the Bangsamoro people. He will also meet the OIC secretary-general Dr. Abdelouahed Belkeziz.

It can be recalled that during the opening of the 28^th Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers in Bamako, Republic of Mali last June, Dr. Belkeziz called on the Philippine government to comply with its international binding commitments and obligations under the terms and condition of the 1996 peace accord.

In his statements, Dr. Belkeziz said until now the Bangsamoro people are still struggling to get their self-rule promised to them by the Philippine government many years ago. He added that further delaying the implementation of the agreement would only aggravate the already tense situation in Mindanao and may complicate the situation.

During the meeting, the OIC also passed a strongly-worded Resolution calling the Philippine government not to unilaterally implement the peace agreement, particularly not to unilaterally undertake the plebiscite in the ARMM, but instead, provide all necessary procedures and implement development projects that will lead to the success of the peace process.

However, the Resolution and other previous OIC Resolutions with the same message, were completely disregarded and ignored by the Philippine government.

From Middle East, the MNLF Chairman will proceed to Pakistan. He will also see the leaders of this country being one of the active and powerful member of the OIC.

After his visits to these OIC countries, Misuari, who is still recognized by the world community and the OIC countries as the legitimate chairman of the MNLF Central Committee, will come back to the Homeland Mindanao to lead the 5^th Bangsamoro People’s National Congress to be conducted very soon.

Director Mahendra Madjilon of the ARMM’s Bureau of Public Information said the Congress will tackle, among other pressing issues and concerns, the status of the peace MNLF-GRP peace process and probably will make a final decision on the position of the MNLF to the matter.

The forthcoming 5^th Bangsamoro People’s National Congress, whose exact date and venue will be determined later, will be a crucial one for the future of the peace process and the Bangsamoro people themselves, Madjilon added. # # #

 

Reference: BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION-ARMM