MILF suspends spokesman for poll participation

Manila: The spokesman of a separatist Filipino-Muslim group — that has been engaged in peace talks with the Philippine government since 1997 — has been suspended for participating in the Philippine elections while promising politicians that the group would continue to hold peace talks with the government after President Gloria Arroyo's term ends in June.

The group's website said that starting April 12, Eid Kabalu, spokesman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and also chairperson of MILF's Civil-Military Relations Department, was suspended "for violating a major policy of the MILF on elections", Sammy Al Mansour, MILF's chief of staff, who signed the suspension order, said.

Guilty beyond doubt

The MILF Central Committee found Kabalu guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating the Front's major policy which restricts MILF leaders from takingpart in the electoral processes of the Philippine government, Mansour said.

To change this policy is like destroying the MILF's official position "not to subscribe to the Philippine Constitution" to solve the age-old Moro problem and armed conflict between Muslim rebels and the Philippine government in Mindanao, Mansour said.

Witness

Kabalu signed as a witness to a covenant entered into by Muslim leaders and evangelist Eddie Villanueva and former economist Perfecto Yasay, presidential and vice-presidential candidates of Bangon Pilipinas Party (BPP or Rise Up Philippines Party).

The document, entitled, "Covenant with the Muslims, Christians, Indigenous People and the People of Mindanao," said that the peace process between the Philippine government and the MILF "shall be pursued with all stakeholders and concluded with mutual sincerity and utmost seriousness [after Arroyo leaves her office in June]."

"You have also arrogated unto yourself powers and authority beyond your official capacity that put the MILF in bad light and odd stance," the MILF's suspension order told Kabalu.