CAMP ABUBAKAR, Maguindanao, 1 May — Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Salamat Hashim, reiterated once more that the Bangsamoro people’s quest for self-determination and independence is non-negotiable.
The re-issuance of the statement was made in an interview with the staff of Mindanao Crescent which published its maiden issue last April 27, 2001.
While he is firm on his stand for the Bangsamoro people’s independence he added that he is amenable that the issue be brought to the Bangsamoro people in a referendum to be conducted in the Muslim areas under the auspices of either the United Nations (UN) or the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).
In this referendum if only one Moro province or even a municipality decides on independence, this should be respected and independence must be granted, he maintained.
Asked to on the ‘all-out peace’ policy of President Gloria Arroyo Chairman Salamat said: “It is not for me at this early stage to judge the ‘all-out peace’ policy of President Arroyo. We are still observing and evaluating her approach to the resolution of the conflict in Mindanao. However, her recent appointment of hawkish generals to head the defense and military establishment makes us wonder as where her ‘all-out peace’ policy will lead her government”.
Nonetheless, “the MILF is always ready and prepared for any eventuality, be it adverse or otherwise,” Salamat added.
He also added that his group recognizes the “tri-nation” feature of the Mindanao populace today. There is the Bangsamoro people, the indigenous highlander communities, and the Christian settler. While the MILF struggles for the restoration of the Bangsamoro people’s right to self-determination and independence, it also recognizes and supports the same inherent right of these particular groups. If the highlander communities and Christian settlers each want to have their own separate independent state, then we shall support this. If they wish to federate with the Bangsamoro people, we shall also support this, he further said.
