ZAMBOANGA CITY: The Moro Islamic Liberation Front ordered its forces to stay out of elections as campaign began for Aug. 11 polls in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The MILF last month ordered rebels to refrain from participating in the polls, but renewed its calls after a purported press statement from rebel chieftain Murad Ebrahim urged Manila to postpone the elections.
The alleged statement urged the postponement or scrapping of the polls because it pose “grave obstacle” to the ongoing peace negotiations between Manila and the MILF.
Eid Kabalu, a rebel spokesman, branded the press statement as fake and warned journalists to verify the authenticity of its source.
“We have not issued any statement urging the government to scrap or postpone the ARMM elections,” Kabalu said.
