Sabah Issue its implication to Bangsamoro Framework Agreement THE MILF The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)

is an Islamist group formed in the 1960s following the Jabidah massacre to achieve greater Bangsamoro autonomy in the southern Philippines.The government in Manila sent troops into the southern Philippines to control the insurgency. In 1976, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi brokered a negotiation between the Philippine

government and MNLF Leader Nur Misuari which led to the signing of the MNLF-GRPH Tripoli Agreement of 1976 wherein the MNLF accepted the Philippine government's offer of semi-autonomy of the regions in dispute.1

The signing of this agreement brought about a serious rift in MNLF leadership, leading to the formation of a breakaway group in 1977 by Hashim Salamat and 57 MNLF officers. The group was initially known as "The New Leadership". Misuari expelled Salamat in December 1977, after which Salamat moved his new organization first to Cairo Egypt and then, in 1980, to Lahore, Pakistan, where it engaged in diplomatic activities. This organization was formally established in 1984 as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Muammar Gaddafi became a longstanding supporter of the MILF after its emergence.2
1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moro_Islamic_Liberation_Front 2 Ibid.,

In January 1987, the MNLF accepted the Philippine government's offer of semi-autonomy[8] of the regions in dispute, subsequently leading to the establishment of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. The MILF, however, refused to accept this offer and continued their insurgency operations. A general cessation of hostilities between the government in Manila and the MILF was signed in July 1997 but this agreement was abolished in 2000 by the Philippine Army under the administration of Philippine President Joseph Estrada. In response, the MILF declared a jihad (strived and struggled) against the government, its citizens and supporters. Under President Gloria Arroyo, the government entered into a cease-fire agreement with the MILF and resumed peace talks On 7 October 2012, President Benigno Aquino announced a peace deal with the MILF and that "This framework agreement paves the way for a final and enduring peace in Mindanao,". MILF Vice Chairman Ghazali Jaafar is quoted as saying "We are very happy. We thank the president for this." The deal was signed on October 15, 2012. Its aim is to pave the way to enduring peace between the two parties by officially envisaging an autonomous region in Mindanao. According to the framework, this semi-independent Muslim area would have a more just share of revenues from the extraction of its own plentiful resources, budgetary autonomy, its own police, and sharia law only for Muslims. In exchange for this, the MILF will stop armed movements

against the government for autonomy and will allow the national government to retain its control of national security and foreign policy. The autonomy agreement to be gradually implemented will also rename the region Bangsamoro after the Moro people.3 SABAH ISSUE however on February 12, 2013. Followers of Jamalul Kiram numbering over 200 men landed in Laha Datu village in Sabah marking a new chapter of headeach on the philippines Government. On the morning of 1 March 2013, it was reported that Malaysian forces have started shooting on Filipinos who were holed up in Sabah. At noon, the spokesman of Kiram held a press conference in Taguig and reported that at least 10 people were killed while 4 others were wounded in the assault. At 1 P.M., Malaysia denied that they fired the first shot. An hour after, the Palace said that only warning shots were fired and that there were no deaths. Aquino arrived in Pampanga to campaign with Team PNoy and monitored the Sabah situation. At 3 P.M., Malaysia released a statement through DFA saying that only three people died from the encounter. An hour later, the Philippines formally asked the Malaysian government an explanation on what really happened in Lahud Datu. At 4:30 P.M., the sultan's spokesman told reporters that a hundred Filipinos in Sabah were arrested thus signalled the start of a crackdown. At 7 P.M., Malaysia reported that 12 Filipinos were killed in the

3 http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=The_Philippines_and_Sabah:_A_Timeline

firefight. At 8 P.M., Malacaang said that the standoff was not yet over as Malaysian security forces and Kiram's followers were in Sabah. The administration appealed to the Kiram family to return to the Philippines. Aquino ordered Kiram's camp to unconditionally surrender.

Six Malaysian policemen were killed in an ambush, which lasted from 2 to 4 March 2013 at the water village of Kampung Sri Jaya Simunul, Semporna. Six of the armed intruders were also killed. It was reported that the bodies of the policemen were badly mutilated.

Airstrikes (F-18 and Hawk Fighter jets) were launched on Kiram's group holed up at Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu, Sabah on 5 March 2013. Army and police follow-up operations and searches in the area were also conducted. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak asked the government to take appropriate action to protect its dignity and sovereignity as demanded by the people. In a media conference, Armed Forces Chief Gen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mod Zin declared that Ops Daulat was able to achieve its objectives. The Malaysian Home and Defense Ministers said that security forces did not suffer any casualties. Manhunt for the remaining armed group in the area continued. On 6 March 2013, a supporter of Kiram was shot. Stand-off remained

as 300,000 Malaysian citizens of Suluk descent distanced themselves from areas taken by Kiram's supporters. Malaysian mulls extradition. In a press conference held in Manila on 7 March 2013, Sulu Sultan Kiram called for a unilateral ceasefire. Malaysia rejected his plea and instead asked for an unconditional surrender. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon called for an end to the violence in Sabah and encouraged dialogue among all parties for a peaceful resolution of the situation. In a statement of Aquino to the graduating cadets of the Philippine Military Academy on 17 March 2013 he emphasized that earnest dialogue is more effective, more productive and more beneficial to all, as opposed to pointing weapons at each other.4 sought Kiram's

The Philippines Government At the ground, there are several speculations about the governments move of not only forsaking its citizens (Tausugs in Sabah) but even act as spokesman of the Malaysian authority. some scholars says that it so happened that Sabah issue is less important than the rest. in fact A
4 http://www.mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20130317113716

Malacaang official on Tuesday reiterated that the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement entered into by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is on track despite the ongoing crisis in Sabah.

The whole framework agreement together with the annexes has one purpose in mind: to bring about enduring peace in Mindanao. So this is much bigger than the current situation in Sabah right now, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said at a briefing.Remember, from the very start, the matter of consultation with the Kiram family about the peace process, was not discussed primarily because the Sabah issue is a foreign policy issue and, for that reason, it was referred to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Lacierda said. Remember, from the very start, the matter of consultation with the Kiram family about the peace process, was not discussed primarily because the Sabah issue is a foreign policy issue and, for that reason, it was referred to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Lacierda said.

Conspiracy? Back on October 15, 2012. One may recall that it was Malaysia who is one of the main witnesses of the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement signed in the Malacanang Palace. on the issue of territorial dispute against China on

Scarborough shoal it is Malaysia too whom the Philippines rely on as ally against china. And on the part of Malaysia it is the Philippine government whom they rely on for the assurance that Sabah claim can not be pursued and remains at there sovereignty thus suggesting the possibility of developing mutual understanding between theses countries Nur Misuari, one of the brilliant political thinkers of Moro already knew these possibilties. in fact as early as October 15, 2012 on the very day when the Framework Agreement was signed. he said in the interview that Malaysia and the Philippine government are partners in the on going crisis in Mindnanao. this Framework agreement is another receipies of war in Mindanao. when asked why. he repilied, on the part of Malaysia they dont want peace in Mindanao they want instability they want crisis they want war so that we can not have the luxury of time to solve our problem over Sabah and on the part of the Philippine government they dont want peace settled in Mindanao so that the Armed forces remains their in Mindanao and may not transfer to Luzon against NPA. so the Malaysia and the Philippines are partners in this shenanigans However, while Misuari is thinking that the Framework Agreement is recipes for war and sabotage to the 1996 Final Peace Agreement. The MILF views on the Sabah Issue is sabotage also to the 2012 Bangsamoro Framework Agreement this view of the MILF is observed on its silence on the

Sabah Isue. history tell us the Massacred Muslims in Jabidah, 1968, were Tausugs yet the then now MILF raised up with the Tausugs against the

perpetrator, the government but the same tribe are now massacred in Sabah, they are Massarced on the same goal. but the MILF now are silent and never want to participate in the Issue. To the MILF I ask, Is the BFA more sacred than the blood of their Muslim brothers in Sabah? Is this the kind of government they want to Establish replacing ARMM? a contract with the Philippine Government more superior that the Devine contract with God? Positive side Moro struggle was once unified due to Jabidah Massacre in 1968, forty five (45) years later the same Moro group splinter into minute movements: the Moro National Lliberation Font (MNLF), Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter(BIFF) Royal Army etc. all may differ in name but have one common goal "independence" they might be weak in number but they are determine to do anything to achieve their goal and if cause is not granted other groups would come in and ask for it. in fact Dean Wadi of the UP-Institute of Islamic Studies, in one of his interview by GMA networks said: Ang Mindanao conflict kasi parang see-saw. Pag masyado mong pinataas o pinabigat 'yung kabila, aangat 'yung kabila. May mga pwersang mag-aangat niyan. Kailangan ng balanse. Nawalan ng balanse ngayon ang gobyerno.