February 2, 2008
The war in Mindanao can last for generations if the current search for genuine solution cannot be found by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP). This was the view of one senior member of the MILF Central Committee, who spoke to Luwaran on condition of anonymity. He said the MILF has achieved the necessary foundation for protracted warfare even if it lasts for years after years, citing the ideological line rooted in Islam expounded by the late MILF Chairman Salamat Hashim in his book: “The Guidelines to Bangsamoro Mujahid” published in Mindanao long before he died on July 13, 2003.
He also said that the correct political line was also set in that book, which is to pursue the objective of the MILF through the interplay of armed jihad and unarmed jihad.
Jihad is an Arabic term mistakenly interpreted as “holy war”. In Islam there is no holy war and it defined jihad as an utmost striving in the way of Allah. Negotiation falls within the category of unarmed jihad, which is equated to the modern view of political warfare.
Salamat also sometimes used the term “da’wah” in place for unarmed jihad, which at all times is complimentary or supplementary to armed jihad.
The MILF officer also disclosed that the historical perspective of the MILF is clearly stated in the book of Salah Jubair, Bangsamoro: A Nation Under Endless Tyranny”.
Jubair is the nom de guerre of one of the senior leaders of the MILF.
“What remains to be done by the MILF is to train future leaders who are prepared ideologically, politically, and organizationally,” the officer stressed.
“The other thing,” he said, “is to train dedicated fighters that would fight for the cause of the Bangsamoro people and from whom some of the future leaders would emerge.”
He criticized the undeclared government policy of delay, delay in the peace talks because the leaders of the MILF are aging.
“This is a policy based on fallacious assumption.”
But he also admitted that at present the MILF has a string of commanders who believe in quick victory mentality rather than the protracted nature of jihad or revolutionary struggle.
“We encountered obstacles in restraining them,” he confessed.
He also said the MILF has problems in tactical adjustment of our combatants in fighting the enemy, who violated the ongoing ceasefire in Mindanao.
“Our fighters are used to positional warfare,” he said, “which is not effective against a superior adversary.”