MNLF to be a political party, says its new chairman

Its newly appointed chairman, Abul Khyer Alonto in a special interview with Bernama Tuesday said the organisation might use a proposed official name, 'Bangsamoro Federalista Muslim Mindanao' (Bangsamoro Federal Party in Muslim Mindanao) to replace the current name.

However, Alonto who was also one of the original top 90 Freedom Fighters, pointed out that the consolidation and discussion with the organisation's top leaders were still ongoing.

"We are also trying to dismiss the perception that has long associated us with violence. I beg to the people of the Philippines...please help me, correct me if I am wrong and support me if I am right," he said.

Alonto was officially appointed as the new MNLF chairman on March 3.

Another prominent Muslim organisation in Mindanao, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), had also announced its intention to take the form of a political party right after the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro was inked last March 27.

MILF, which was initially known as 'the new leadership', broke away from MNLF in 1984 after a disagreement on leadership.

Asked whether both organisations would merge as one political party, Alonto said it might happen but for the time being, both organisations would register as different political parties.

"Both the MILF and MNLF will still function as an instrument and agent for Bangsamoro," he said.

Nevertheless, he said, talks on merger and unity had been going on between them, and for the elections in 2016, there had also been an agreement that each organisation would contest for certain designated locations.

"I do not see any great divide or conflict in the first place. I also do not see any serious contradiction, as we look at them as parallel. We are brothers, we are one, we come from the same movement, and we share a common cause, " he said.