Refrain from recruitment - AFP told MNLF

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The military on Tuesday urged a faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to refrain from recruiting young Muslims in the city and create alarm and apprehension to residents.

“They (MNLF) should not subject people of Zamboanga to alarm and apprehension,” as what happened the other week in an east coast village, said Col. Santiago Baluyot, Commander Task Force Zamboanga.

Task Force Zamboanga together with Sangali Barangay officials persuaded last Thursday, around 70 uniformed MNLF Mutallah Force to disperse peacefully. Baluyot said, the MNLF leader, a certain Commander Usman obliged after authorities explained the nature of their action.

The MNLF raised their flag and with uniformed “but unarmed” followers doing a formation in celebration of the MNLF’s anniversary.

Baluyot said, based on their initial investigation most “recruits” were young and were “lured” into a pending integration to the AFP or PNP.

The integration of MNLF regulars into the AFP and PNP was a thing of the past, described Baluyot. One of the provisions of the 1996 Peace Accord was the integration of the MNLF to the government military and police, but all were filled up and complied with.

One thing alarming was the “collection of membership fees” made from the recruits, Baluyot said. Some “recruits” admitted to Task Force Zamboanga, “membership fees” can be paid on installment basis, ranging from 500 to 700 pesos per membership.

The Task Force Zamboanga is utilizing its “integrated soldiers” in closely coordinating with the MNLF faction in the city. They are closely monitoring reported pending “training” of the MNLF in two east coast barangays in the city.

Such activity was earlier denied by the village officials, Baluyot said. He did not made mention the name of Barangays identified as possible grounds for training of the MNLF.