Moro front members criticise ID plan

Mindanao: Ranking leaders of a separatist group have criticised a proposal that former rebels must wear an identification card to set them aside from renegade members and other terrorists in the southern Philippines.

Various leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), who formed a pro-autonomy peace settlement with the government in 1996, believe the plan is extremely controversial.

The MNLF waged a separatist war in the early 70s that killed 120,000 people in Mindanao. The proposed ID system was also criticised by members of the militant organisation Suara Bangsamoro.

"A government-imposed ID system for MNLF members is a violation of the spirit of the government-MNLF peace settlement, which has a provision that says the military must not operate in MNLF-recognised areas in Mindanao," said Aminah Lidasan, chairperson of the Suara Bangsamoro group.

"Clashes have occurred between MNLF fighters and government soldiers because the latter have been entering MNLF-controlled territories in the guise of pursuing members of the Abu Sayyaf (a local terror group) in Jolo and in other provinces," said Lidasan.