The Moro Islamic Liberation Front has asked the Philippine government to freeze all gas and oil bidding contracts in areas claimed by the Moro people. Mohaqher Iqbal, chief MILF negotiator, said in a statement that he had told his counterpart in the government, Marvic Leonen, the MILF position on the ongoing bidding by the Philippine government on oil and gas exploration in Sulu and other areas claimed by Muslims.
The MILF is pushing for the establishment of a sub-state in areas dominated by Muslims with all the rights from the natural resources, including gas and oil. Among the areas the MILF wants to control is the Liguasan marshland in Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces.
Iqbal said the exploration of the gas and oil reserves in Muslim Mindanao without settling the ownership issue first would be adverse to the interests of the people. |