Friday, July 27, 2007

Kabalu ‘not MILF spokesman anymore’

Eid Kabalu is not anymore the “MILF spokesman,” a designation he was known for and readily “took upon his shoulders” during the time of the 2000 all-out war waged by ousted President Joseph Estrada.

According to Luwaran Web, the official cyber portal of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), its Central Committee “has decided recently that the designation ‘MILF spokesman’ will be phased out.”

“Someone has to bear the brunt of the powerful media controlled by the government during darkest moment,” Muhammad Ameen, chairperson of the MILF Secretariat said.

He further said that the designation “MILF spokesman,” which was held by Kabalu, was a temporary arrangement to confront an extra-ordinary situation brought about by the all-out war.

“Brother Eid Kabalu had proved his worth in 2000,” he stated.

Until after a new resolution will be passed, Kabalu is reassigned as chief of the civil-military relations of he MILF General Staff (GS) of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF).

As chief of the civil-military relations of the GS, Kabalu [may] serve as the mouthpiece of this military organ.

Ameen explained that aside from his main task to ensure that popular support for fighters of the MILF shall be maintained at all times, Kabalu, in plain words, is also the “military spokesman” of the MILF.

“In a revolutionary struggle such as the one being waged by the MILF, the people’s support is one of the primary foundations. Without the support of the people, the MILF cannot exist or succeed to exist,” the website said.

“The resolution also provided that the committee on information of the MILF Central Committee will function as the agency that would speak for the MILF and whoever is the chairperson of this committee will act as the mouthpiece of the MILF.”

Mohagher Iqbal, the MILF chief peace negotiator, is the chairman of the said committee with Khaled Musa as his deputy.

“However, any member of the MILF Central Committee particularly Chairman Murad Ebrahim or his two deputies can speak for the MILF. The three are the most senior in the MILF and therefore most authoritative,” the MILF said.

“But it is a standing policy of the MILF or any organization especially revolutionary that incorrect or erroneous statement of any leader especially contrary to existing principles or policies will not be binding to the organization, but correction must be issued at once to contain the damages or guide the public,” it concluded.
FROM THE LUWARAN WEB