Palace to Misuari: Peace pact has Arab backing

MNLF chairman Nur Misuari and Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda. FILE PHOTO

Malacañang on Monday dismissed Moro leader Nur Misuari’s threat to enlist the support of Middle East leaders in his rejection of the framework agreement signed by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), saying the peace plan had the full backing of Arab Islamic leaders.

“I think the presence of the secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was a signal of support from the Arab leaders. I think that in and of itself, that shows the keen interest of the OIC in having peace in Muslim Mindanao. We find that as a symbolic and a significant support from the OIC,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said.

Lacierda said that Misuari, head of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), was free to voice his opposition to the framework agreement despite “overwhelming support” for what he said was the first step to reaching a final agreement not only from local and international leaders but also from Moro rebels themselves.

The government and the MILF signed the agreement in Malacañang last week in an effusive ceremony attended by President Aquino, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and  MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim.

In Davao City, a senior MILF official on Monday also defended the agreement, saying its signing was conspiracy at its best because it would help bring about lasting peace in Mindanao.

Nur’s conspiracy theory

Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF chairman for political affairs, said Misuari was making unfounded accusations. “(But) if they wanted to call this a conspiracy, then it is a conspiracy to end war,” he said by phone.

Misuari on Sunday told some 7,000 followers in the city that the “Philippine colonizers” and the MILF conspired to dilute the gains of the 1996 peace treaty that the MNLF signed with the Ramos administration.

“Are we going to allow their conspiracy? Certainly not. Do anything to block the conspiracy because this is a complete surrender and a betrayal of the trust of the people,” Misuari said. Gil Cabacungan, Ryan Rosauro and Karlos Manlupig, Inquirer Mindanao and Maricar Cinco, Inquirer Southern Luzon