BEHIND ENEMY LINES

After having been ranked No. 1 Enemy by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for so many years, I finally had the opportunity to look at their leaders straight in the eye and even pose for some pictures with their seasoned warriors.

Earlier today, Dec. 6, I was invited to attend a Peace Advocacy Forum sponsored by the MILF in Barangay Dungos, Tulunan, North Cotabato.

Several top officials of the MILF were present including Boy Hashim, Dr. Benjie Dumato and members of the Central Committee.

Some 600 fully-armed MILF warriors were present.

It was an opportunity for me to meet them and exchange thoughts with them on the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement.

In all of our conversations, I remained steadfast in my position that while we would like to see the Bangsamoro experiment succeed, great care and deeper thought should be given to the proposal to expand the Bangsamoro territory further.

In the end, we parted ways after getting each other’s phone numbers with commitments to open the lines of communication to move ahead in the search for peace in Mindanao.

Photo caption: A Barrett sniper’s gun and the ubiquitous B-40 are displayed by MILF warriors as they pose for a picture with me, Mlang Mayor Lito Pinol, Congressional bet Dr. Rod Escudero, my brod Bobong and others.

Source: Manny Piñol