26 May 2017

News Story: MILF, MNLF reaffirm commitment to peace process amid Marawi siege

By John Unson

LANAO DEL SUR, Philippines - The Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front reiterated Thursday their commitment to the peace process in the wake of the raging strife in Marawi City.

The two fronts also condemned the siege since Tuesday afternoon of several baragays in Marawi City by combined members of the Maute terror group and the Abu Sayyaf.

Al-Haj Murad Ibrahim, chairman of the MILF’s central committee, said they condemn the violent attacks in Marawi City by terrorists.

“There is no justification for launching an offensive against civilian populace and to destroy infrastructures and institutions serving the public,” he said in a signed press communiqué The STAR received on Thursday.

The MILF, which splintered from the MNLF in the early 1980s, has a current diplomatic overture with Malacanang, which began on January 7, 1997.

“The MILF stands in solidarity with the people of Marawi and Lanao del Sur,” Murad said.

He said MILF forces have been directed to help the government thwart attempts by terrorists to derail the peace in the local communities.

Murad said the MILF remain committed to the southern peace process, which aims to put a negotiated closure to the now four-decade Moro issue.

Read the full story at PhilStar