‘Yes’ for peace or ‘No’ for continued violence – Comdr Bravo

Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces-MILF (The Manila Times)

ILIGAN CITY: “Vote ‘Yes’ for peace or ‘No’ for continued violence.” This was the message of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) top commander in a statement he released urging the people of Lanao del Norte to vote ‘Yes’ on February 6, the second plebiscite for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

On the other hand, the Dimaporo clan in Lanao del Norte is strongly opposing the inclusion of Balo-i, Munai, Nunungan, Pantar, Tagoloan and Tangkal, the six towns in Lanao del Norte in question whether to be included in the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)

In a video post, the controversial front commander of the MILF Northwestern Mindanao Command Abdullah Macapaar, popularly known as Commander Bravo appealed to voters for unity and peace to vote ‘Yes’ on February 6 for the inclusion of the six municipalities in the BARMM.

Bravo expressed their last call and appeal to all voters in Lanao del Norte to vote ‘Yes’ for peace and prosperity and for the future of their children.

He asked to not to give them reason to continue their armed struggle and to instill hatred.

“We don’t want war,” the MILF commander said. “Your vote for ‘Yes’ means that you want peace and you give us opportunity to live in peace and we will take this as a debt of gratitude,” he said.

“But if you vote ‘No,’ you violate our right to live in peace,” he said, noting that that is what the MILF and the government would be avoiding as it may result to conflict in Lanao del Norte.

On February 6, the scheduled second Bangsamoro plebiscite in 6 towns of Lanao del Norte and 67 barangays (villages) in North Cotabato will be held.

The first plebiscite held on January 21 resulted in a big ‘Yes’ win for the BOL in the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao as well as in Cotabato City.

This is the culmination of the peace process began by the previous Aquino administration and the MILF aimed at granting genuine self-rule for Moros and ending decades of conflict in the region.

Bravo commands the MILF's Northwestern Mindanao Front in Lanao del Norte, which is campaigning hard for the inclusion of 6 towns in the BARMM.

He is up against the Dimaporo clan who have always maintained their stand for the ‘No’ inclusion of the Lanao del Norte six towns in BARMM.

During the Arroyo’s administration, Commander Bravo had attacked communities in Lanao del Norte when peace negotiations bogged down.

Last January, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Peace Process (OPAPP) brokered a dialogue between Bravo and the Dimaporos to ensure a peaceful plebiscite in Lanao del Norte.

Brvo and the Dimaporos both promised for a peaceful holding of the plebiscite in the province.

Meanwhile, a lawyer of the MILF warned that the Moro youth might rebel if Lanao del Norte votes ‘No’.

In a press briefing in Cagayan de Oro on Friday, Salahoden Benhamza, legal officer for the MILF's Northwestern Mindanao Command, said a 'No' vote could disenfranchise Moro youth and this might encourage them to rise up and rebel. 

                                                           (MASIDING NOOR YAHYA and ASA T. MADALE)