From the MILF Website (Jul 7): MILF, MNLF set to meet to resolve conflict in North Cotabato town
Representatives of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) met Thursday, July 4, to continue finding ways to address the raging conflict between two leaders of both Fronts which had already claimed the lives of some combatants and displaced hundreds of families from both sides.
Representatives of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) met Thursday, July 4, to continue finding ways to address the raging conflict between two leaders of both Fronts which had already claimed the lives of some combatants and displaced hundreds of families from both sides.
The scene of the continuing conflict is Marbel, Matalam in North Cotabato.
Muhammad Ameen, chair of the MILF Central Committee, told Luwaran that the two Fronts agreed to organize a joint task force which will concentrate on finding the acceptable formula to all concerned.
Ameen described the task force as clothed with enough mandate to decide on all matters, except major decisions which require the final say of their respective principals.
He said both the Misuari and Sema wings of the MNLF agreed to the formula. It was learned that Datu Dima Ambel, chair of the MNLF Sebangan Kutawato Revolutionary Committee, is recognized by both Misuari and Sema as their man in this part of the once Empire Province of Cotabato, now subdivided into five provinces.
Ambil belongs to the once powerful clan, the Matalams, who controlled the Empire Province for decades after the grant of independence to the Philippines in 1946.
However, with the active support of the military particularly the Philippine Constabulary and the late strongman, President Ferdinand Marcos, the Matalams’ suffered a humiliating defeat after Former Philippine Constabulary Provincial Commander, Col. Carlos Cajelo, defeated then Acting Governor Simeon Datumanong, the protégé’ of then Datu Udtog Matalam.
Cajelo became the first Christian Governor of North Cotabato prior to its partition in 1973.
The conflict, report said, has its root over land disputes and then compounded by various selfish or vested interests at play including “hitchhikers” who also have an eye on the vast lands in the area.
Earlier representatives from the MILF, MNLF, MILF and government Coordinating Committees on Cessation of Hostilities (CCCHs), political and traditional leaders, and North Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza brought together the warring parties into a dialogue which brought forth a covenant of peace on how to stop the fighting and finally how to address the roots of the conflict.
However, the arrangement did not take hold, as both camps accused each of bad faith by initiating armed incursions on both sides’ positions.
The fresh initiatives are welcome by residents of Matalam in North Cotabato.
http://www.luwaran.com/
Muhammad Ameen, chair of the MILF Central Committee, told Luwaran that the two Fronts agreed to organize a joint task force which will concentrate on finding the acceptable formula to all concerned.
Ameen described the task force as clothed with enough mandate to decide on all matters, except major decisions which require the final say of their respective principals.
He said both the Misuari and Sema wings of the MNLF agreed to the formula. It was learned that Datu Dima Ambel, chair of the MNLF Sebangan Kutawato Revolutionary Committee, is recognized by both Misuari and Sema as their man in this part of the once Empire Province of Cotabato, now subdivided into five provinces.
Ambil belongs to the once powerful clan, the Matalams, who controlled the Empire Province for decades after the grant of independence to the Philippines in 1946.
However, with the active support of the military particularly the Philippine Constabulary and the late strongman, President Ferdinand Marcos, the Matalams’ suffered a humiliating defeat after Former Philippine Constabulary Provincial Commander, Col. Carlos Cajelo, defeated then Acting Governor Simeon Datumanong, the protégé’ of then Datu Udtog Matalam.
Cajelo became the first Christian Governor of North Cotabato prior to its partition in 1973.
The conflict, report said, has its root over land disputes and then compounded by various selfish or vested interests at play including “hitchhikers” who also have an eye on the vast lands in the area.
Earlier representatives from the MILF, MNLF, MILF and government Coordinating Committees on Cessation of Hostilities (CCCHs), political and traditional leaders, and North Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza brought together the warring parties into a dialogue which brought forth a covenant of peace on how to stop the fighting and finally how to address the roots of the conflict.
However, the arrangement did not take hold, as both camps accused each of bad faith by initiating armed incursions on both sides’ positions.
The fresh initiatives are welcome by residents of Matalam in North Cotabato.
http://www.luwaran.com/