June 20, 2001, The Philippine Star, MILF Position on Independence Not Final,

June 20, 2001, The Philippine Star, MILF Position on Independence Not Final,

Manila, June 20, 2001 (STAR) The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said that it is putting their demand of an independent Bangsamoro Republic on hold as peace talks in Tripoli begin.

The secessionist group said that they are pushing for the implementation of a three-point agenda with the government peace panel before anything else in the formal opening of peace negotiations at Tripoli, Libya.

MILF vice-chairman for political affairs, Ghazali Jaafar, said that they are deferring their demand in order to prioritize their three-point agenda with the government.

This three-point agenda involves: the rehabilitation of Muslims affected by last year’s war, the implementation of past agreements concerning Mindanao, and economic development.

Jaafar also said that the MILF is not closed to the idea of a national referendum for the Muslim people to decide whether or not to push for independence.

He added that they have four options: to remain with the Republic of the Philippines, to implement a federal government, to become autonomous, or to become an independent state.