Mindanao: former MILF terrorists to join government against ISIS
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front announced the creation of a 12,000-strong task force to counter ISIS’ “distortions” of the Qurʼān. For an army spokesman, “Any initiative against extremism is welcome." The MILF is discussing with the government ways to prevent extremist groups from undermining peace talks.
Manila (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has set up a task force to counter purported efforts by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) to recruit fighters in the restive southern Philippine island of Mindanao, MILF spokesman Mohagher Iqbal told the Filipino Daily Inquirer.
The MILF, which has become increasingly concerned about local Islamist groups after they released videos last month in which they pledge allegiance to ISIS, is an armed group that has fought for decades for Mindanao’s independence, an island rich in natural resources.
Thousands of people have paid the price for a war that has held economically back the region, which is considered a treasure trove in terms of raw materials estimated at US$ 312 billion.
On 24 January 2014, the two sides signed a peace agreement, which opened the way for the creation of a Muslim autonomous region in Bangsamoro, slated to be up and running by 2016.
The deal provides for Muslim self-government in Mindanao in exchange for a cease-fire and rebel disarmament, but negotiations are currently at an impasse.
Iqbal said that the MILF has a 12,000-strong force, including Islamic preachers tasked to counter ISIS' "distortions" of the Qurʼān and Islamic teachings.
The creation of the MILF task force is a "welcome development," said Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla, a spokesman for the Filipino military. "Any effort aimed at controlling extremism, especially within their organisation, is a welcome development," he added.
Counter-terror expert Richard Javad Heydarian, of De La Salle University, said that the MILF, in creating the task force, may be taking steps to prevent extremists from undermining its peace deal with the government and continue the armed struggle.
Earlier Brig-Gen Padilla said that security forces were "well aware of the emerging threat (from ISIS), and have been conducting operations to prevent terror acts anywhere in the country".
However, he dismissed as "propaganda" the recruitment videos released by Muslim extremists in the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia in the past month.
"There remains no credible and direct connection to the bigger group in the Middle East up to this time," he said.
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