MNLF Executive Council of 15

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Moro National Liberation Front Executive Council of 15
LeaderMus Sema
Dates of operationApril 2001[1] – present
(as a political organization)
HeadquartersMaguindanao, Philippines
Active regionsBangsamoro, Philippines
Ideology
AlliesState allies
Philippines Republic of the Philippines

Malaysia Government of Malaysia
Non-state allies

MILF[2]
OpponentsNon-state opponent

Al-Qaeda

Islamic State Islamic State

New People's Army
Battles and warsMoro conflict

The Moro National Liberation Front Executive Council of 15 (MNLF EC-15) is a faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in which the group of 15 leaders forged a unity agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).[3] The agreement was signed in Kuala Lumpur and coincided with the Filipino President's visit.[4] Muslimin Sema is the current chairman of the group.[5] The government of the Philippines recognizes Sema along with Misuari as representatives of the MNLF despite the recognition of Nur Misuari as chairman by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which the MNLF is an observer member to.[6][7] Supposedly, Sema's group together with Habib Mudjahab Hashim's MNLF Islamic Command Council (ICC), somewhat agreed to reunite with the MNLF under Misuari.[8]

History[edit]

After the arrest of Nur Misuari in Malaysia due to the failed rebellion in 2001, some members of the MNLF formed the Executive Council of 15 currently led by Muslimin Sema. In April 2001, they voted to oust Misuari as leader of the MNLF led by former ARMM Governor Parouk Hussein.[9] Some time later in 2008, Muslimin Sema has been elected as the chairman of the group.[10] In 2017, former Sulu Governor Yusop Jikiri became the new chairman[11] until his death in 2020.[12][13] Due to his death, Sema has been re-elected back as the Chairman.[14]

Present[edit]

Currently, this faction supports the Bangsamoro Organic Law[15] and currently allied with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.[16] As a result, some members have been appointed as members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority by President Rodrigo Duterte. Notably, its members are Hatimil Hassan, Romeo Sema, Omar Yasser Sema, and Abdul Sahrin.[17]

On May 27, 2021, amidst the ongoing deliberation on the Bangsamoro Transition Authority Extension Bill filed at the Senate,[18] the Executive Council of 15 launched an indignation rally due to lack of representation within the proposed bill.[19]

This faction also formed the Bangsamoro Party, the political party which will be used for future elections.

On August 12, 2022, members of the EC-15 got reappointed with additional new members by President Bongbong Marcos into the Bangsamoro Transition Authority.[20]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Tapaoan, Emelyn (April 6, 2002). "Misuari says he is still MNLF chairman". Gulf News. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  2. ^ "MILF, MNLF jointly call on Bangsamoro for unity and solidarity". Relief Web. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  3. ^ "MILF, MNLF unite for passage of BBL". Philippine Daily Inquirer. October 14, 2015. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  4. ^ "The Mindanao Peace Talks - Another Opportunity to Resolve the Moro Conflict in the Philippines" (PDF). United States Institute of Peace. United States Institute of Peace. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  5. ^ "Misuari action all about power, says MNLF faction". ABS-CBN News/ANC. 9 September 2013.
  6. ^ "GPH-MNLF Jikiri group coordinating committee convenes to discuss remaining commitments under 1996 FPA". Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process. OPAPP. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  7. ^ Laude, Jaime (10 December 2013). "MNLF threatens new attacks". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  8. ^ Alipala, Julie (26 June 2014). "3 MNLF factions agree to re-unite with Misuari as leader". Inquirer Mindanao. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  9. ^ Tapaoan, Emelyn (April 6, 2002). "Misuari says he is still MNLF chairman". Gulf News. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  10. ^ Dizon, David (April 2, 2008). "Sema replaces Misuari as new MNLF Chairman". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  11. ^ Arguillas, Carolyn O. "Sema steps down as MNLF chair; Jikiri takes over". MindaNews. Retrieved 2018-10-07.
  12. ^ "MNLF leader Yusop Jikiri, 'strong' pillar of Bangsamoro peace process, dies". The Philippine Star. October 19, 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  13. ^ "MNLF leader Jikiri passes away". ABS-CBN News. October 18, 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  14. ^ Fernandez, Edwin (November 16, 2020). "Reelected MNLF chair vows for peace collaboration in BARMM". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  15. ^ "GPH-MNLF Jikiri group coordinating committee convenes to discuss remaining commitments under 1996 FPA". Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process. OPAPP. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  16. ^ Panares, Joyce Pangco (January 23, 2014). "MNLF faction proposes unity talks with MILF". The Manila Standard. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  17. ^ Argullas, Carolyn (February 24, 2019). "Bangsamoro in transition: so who took their oath as BTA members?". MindaNews. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  18. ^ "Senate Bill No. 2214" (PDF). Senate of the Philippines. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  19. ^ "MNLF INDIGNATION RALLY AGAINST SENATE SUBSTITUTE HB NO. 2214". Facebook. MNLF- Office of the Vice Chairman for Political Affairs. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  20. ^ Arguillas, Carolyn (August 12, 2022). "Marcos to Bangsamoro Transition Authority: no more extension; election in 2025". MindaNews. Retrieved 16 August 2022.