From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 19): DND verifying reports that some Misuari followers declared independence in Cotabato
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Monday said that they are verifying reports that some followers of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Nur Misuari have declared their independence in Cotabato.
"We will have that report checked as we are still to get information regarding the matter. We have word that they have done that in Jolo but not in Cotabato," he added.
Gazmin also said that they are looking into reports that Vice Mayor Muslimin Sema is not supportive of this plan as the MNLF central committee were not consulted on this matter.
The DND chief said that this declaration of independence has no implication with Philippine security as defense and military officials have already inputted it in their planning.
Misuari has "established" a federated state and named him as the president following the declaration of independence last week week.
In a statement, Murshi Ibrahim, Misuari's chief of staff, said Misuari declared the independence of the Bangsamoro Republik in Daira, Barangay Lampaya, Autonomous Federated State of Lupah Sug, according to Habib Mujahab Hashim, chairman of the MNLF Islamic Command Council.
Misuari has also declared himself as the commander-in-chief of the Bangsamoro Armed Forces of what the erstwhile leader called as the 193rd member nation of the United Nations.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=556587
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Monday said that they are verifying reports that some followers of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Nur Misuari have declared their independence in Cotabato.
"We will have that report checked as we are still to get information regarding the matter. We have word that they have done that in Jolo but not in Cotabato," he added.
Gazmin also said that they are looking into reports that Vice Mayor Muslimin Sema is not supportive of this plan as the MNLF central committee were not consulted on this matter.
The DND chief said that this declaration of independence has no implication with Philippine security as defense and military officials have already inputted it in their planning.
Misuari has "established" a federated state and named him as the president following the declaration of independence last week week.
In a statement, Murshi Ibrahim, Misuari's chief of staff, said Misuari declared the independence of the Bangsamoro Republik in Daira, Barangay Lampaya, Autonomous Federated State of Lupah Sug, according to Habib Mujahab Hashim, chairman of the MNLF Islamic Command Council.
Misuari has also declared himself as the commander-in-chief of the Bangsamoro Armed Forces of what the erstwhile leader called as the 193rd member nation of the United Nations.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=556587