The Sept. 12 editorial has slanted the facts involving the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) led by Nur Misuari. The MNLF headed by Misuari is the only recognized MNLF by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Parliamentary Union of Islamic Cooperation (PUIC). These organizations are composed of 57 sovereign countries. This is the MNLF, the only one MNLF, that signed the Tripoli Agreement, an international agreement and the Final Peace Agreement. It is the only group officially recognized by the government.
The MNLF under Misuari has still an unfinished agreement. This agreement was signed in 1976. After more than 40 years, it has not been implemented. The MNLF is not grumbling because of the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro. It is only raising the point of the unfinished agreement.
As to his running in the election, the chairman wants to prove that the electoral process is so corrupt and that the only alternative is to directly involve the people.
It is also the government which will put closure to the tripartite agreement, hence the declaration of independence.
The Zamboanga standoff is a result of the unilateral action of the government in immediately arresting the MNLF without regard to the mechanisms of the peace and ceasefire agreements.
Hopefully, the Inquirer will learn to also ask for the MNLF’s side before writing an editorial that is biased and riddled with twisted facts.
—V. EMMANUEL C. FONTANILLA,
legal counsel/spokesman,
MNLF for Mindanao,
3rd Floor, Gonzales Building,
Pioneer Avenue,
General Santos City