THE Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) last Saturday, May 3, pledged support for peaceful and orderly national and local elections scheduled for May 12.
The commitment was formalized at ceremonies held at the 103rd Infantry Brigade headquarters in Kampo Ranao, Marawi City, and at the 2nd Mechanized Brigade, Armor Division of the Philippine Army in Iligan City.
Aleem Isah Bato, MILF Deputy Front Commander of North Western Mindanao, told a press conference that the MILF is committed to cooperating fully with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the military to help ensure a smooth electoral process.
Bato said the MILF has long awaited the opportunity to sit down with the military to talk about peace, after having fought for five decades.
“This is not ours, sa atin lahat ang Bangsamoro,” he said, referring to the shared responsibility for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm).
He added that MILF units will be deployed to help ensure a peaceful vote, and that their camp has held multiple meetings to prepare for the May 12 elections.
“Commanders have stick to follow the rules and regulations of the Commission and Election (Comelec),” Bato said.
He also suggested that Comelec place visible guidelines at polling precincts to inform voters of proper conduct on election day — a recommendation Comelec reportedly welcomed.
Meanwhile, Malik Sultan Batao, commander of the MILF’s 15th Brigade, also expressed support for safe and orderly elections.
“Ang pamunuan ng MILF ay nanatiling nakatutok sa peace and order para sa mapayapang eleksyon,” Batao said.
He added: “Sigurado po kaming wala pong mangyayari dahil suportado namin ang kapayapaan ngayong eleksyon.”
