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| Terror Networks |
| MNLF now has three chairmen |
| 2002-04-22 |
| Once known as the largest armed group fighting for Muslim self-rule in the Philippines, the deeply divided Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has further descended into the abyss of factionalism. With former ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly Speaker Alvarez Isnaji declaring himself the new chairman, the MNLF now has three heads. Isnaji recently said he was assuming the top MNLF post, replacing Nur Misuari, who is under detention in Sta Rosa, Laguna, on charges of rebellion. Isnaji also took the place of Misuari as governor of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), in an acting capacity, when Misuariâs term expired last September. The post is now held by estranged Misuari ally Parouk Hussin, who won in an election late last year. Hussin and other senior MNLF leaders kicked upstairs the ineffectual Misuari as MNLF chair in April last year, assigning power to a 15-member Executive Council. Misuari was given the figurehead title "chairman emeritus" but he never acknowledged it. When Hussin assumed his ARMM post, Vice Chairman Hatimil Hasan took over as interim council chairman. Hasan yesterday laughed off Isnajiâs new claim of becoming MNLF chairman, describing the meeting convened by Isnajiâs group to declare him chairman as "highly illegal." He said Isnajiâs group has only two original Central Committee members and the rest were picked up from individuals who had no background with the revolutionary organization. Among the personalities listed in the group include Misuariâs former foreign affairs chief Abdulbaki Abubakar and former chief of staff Milram Alam. Hasan asserted it was his group that is presently recognized by the Arroyo administration as well as the OIC Committee of the Eight, and this is expected to be formalized by the OIC Foreign Minister Conference in June. But Jimmy Labawan, Misuariâs vice chairman, said both Isnaji and Hasan are pretenders to the MNLF throne. âNone of them have the moral right to claim to be the mainstream MNLF. The truth is that both of them are power usurpers,â he countered. This is pretty good news, besides being funny. It's nice to watch a group of Islamothugs trying to self-destruct using ego as the explosive. There may well be something similar in the PLO's future once Yasser has his stroke. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |