SULTAN KUDARAT, Maguindanao, 24 June 2004 — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) yesterday ruled out the possibility of an alliance with the group of lawyer Elly Pamatong, a native of Mindanao who earlier announced his plan to shift to take up arms.

Pamatong, a Muslim from the southern city of Dipolog who used to work in the United States, said he was abandoning parliamentary struggle in favor of armed struggle, citing alleged injustices inflicted on his group by the government.

Reacting to speculations that Pamatong would forge an alliance with the MILF, separatist spokesman Eid Kabalu said it was unlikely because Pamatong’s grievances appeared to be more “personal in nature.”

“On the other hand, the MILF cause is legitimate and even recognized by the United States as well as the international community,” he told Arab News.

Police yesterday filed charges of malicious mischief against Pamatong, who had admitted spreading metal spikes on major roads in Metro Manila and some provinces in protest against “massive corruption” in government.

About 170 motorists were reported affected by the “spike attack” carried out along Edsa, the north and south expressways, and other streets in Manila, Quezon City, San Juan, Navotas and Caloocan.

In a press statement, Pamatong admitted resorting to such desperate acts because he was unjustly treated by the Commission on Election, which disqualified him from standing in the May 10 presidential election even though he was was an international lawyer.

On the other hand, he said, the Comelec allowed actors Eddie Gil and high school dropout Fernando Poe Jr. to run even though they were known to be deficient in intellect. Gil was later disqualified after exhibit streaks of weirdness during the campaign.

Police spokesman Supt. Joel Goltiao later questioned Pamatong’s sanity, noting that Pamatong chained himself outside the Comelec building apart from engaging in a spike attack.

As far as the MILF is concerned, it does not follow that there will be an alliance just because Pamatong is a Muslim or from Mindanao.

“The fact that Pamatong is from Mindanao does not follow that all his acts are recognized or respected by the Mindanaoans, particularly, the MILF and the Bangsamoro people,” Kabalu said.

“While to some extent we sympathize with the plight of Attorney Pamatong, we will not violate the MILF’s standing policy of non-involvement or interference on issues it look upon as domestic affairs of the (Philippine) government,” he added.

Pamatong’s advocacy of turning the Philippines into an American state would also not sit well with the MILF, which itself is fighting for self-determination for the Muslims in Mindanao.