At most, MILF secretariat chairman Muhammad Ameen said, the MILF’s members can vote for candidates who are pro-people and pro-peace process.
“We will not support any candidate officially during the May 13 Philippine national elections. However, we appeal to our people and members who wish to participate to vote for candidates who are genuinely pro-people and pro-peace process and reject those who are corrupt, oppressive, and violent,” he said in an article posted Monday on the MILF website.
The article stated that this is “the nth time” that the organization has reiterated its “hands-off policy” on Philippine elections.
“The MILF is beyond partisan politics and considers everyone as part of its constituency,” Ameen said, adding the MILF is a revolutionary Islamic organization.
Ameen issued the hands-off reminder on May 2 following a meeting of the MILF central committee.
MILF chairman Al Haj Murad had presided over the meeting after returning from a visit to several countries in Asia and the Middle East.
On April 29, he attended the launching of the FASTRAC (Facility for Advisory Support for Transition Capacities) in Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.
FASTRAC is a three-year program organized by the MILF, the United Nations and the World Bank. It provides on-demand technical assistance in the run-up to the establishment of the upcoming Bangsamoro political entity. — BM, GMA News
