News and Analysis - AFP and MNLF Forces Battle Throughout the Week (22 April 2007)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have announced a one million peso reward for the capture of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) commander, Ustadz Habier Malik, who along with 200-500 followers has been clashing with Philippine troops since 14 April when his forces were responsible for a mortar attack on a Philippine Marine base that killed two marines and wounded another eight. The attacked also killed one child and wounded another. The following day, a Special Forces Camp came under mortar attack and six soldiers were wounded. The AFP responded by conducting offensive operations against Habier Malik and his forces, overrunning his Bitan-ag complex and a second facility associated with him, Camp Jabal, forcing the MNLF soldiers to retreat into the jungle. There has been continued sporadic fighting throughout the week. As a result of the fighting, an estimated 40,000 persons have fled their homes to avoid being caught up in the violence.

The MNLF signed a peace accord with the government of the Philippines in 1996, and there is concern that this series of clashes could spread and renewed fighting will break out between other elements of the MNLF and the AFP. However, for the time being it appears to remain localized with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the military going to great lengths to separate current operations against Habier Malik from the MNLF mainstream. Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo was quoted by ABS-CBS (22 April) as stating, “Malik is being made to answer for the consequences of his acts as a law violator and not as a member of the MNLF…We have a peace accord with them and that stays.” The Organization of Islamic Conference issued a statement on 15 April, that “…appeals to both GRP [Government of the Republic of the Philippines] and MNLF for immediate cessation of military operations in the Island of Sulu and for the disengagement of their military forces. The Secretary General reiterates his appeal for the two parties to abide by the provisions of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement in letter and spirit and to resume negotiation in good faith for the full implementation of that Agreement.” The Philippines government did not respond to this appeal other than to make a statement to the effect the Malik had violated the agreement and committed criminal acts that resulted in the several deaths and that he would be brought to justice.

(Comment – Habier Malik is closely associated with the jailed former leader of the MNLF and onetime governor, Nur Misuari. Malik was also involved in an incident in February where he detained Marine Major General Mohammad Ben Dolorfino, the National Capital Region Commander, and 11 other military and defense officials for two days during a negotiating session. Additionally, Malik’s faction of the MNLF has been accused of supporting the terrorist organization Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and of provided assistance to two Indonesians, Umar Patek and Dulmatin, alleged to be central figures in the 2002 Bali bombings. The AFP has been pressing the ASG hard over the last eight months in an effort to eliminate them as a threat in the Southern Philippines, as well as to capture or kill Umar Patek and Dulmatin. With elections for the governorship of Mindanao just over the horizon, fracture lines in the MNLF have deepened between hardliners such as Nur Misuari and Malik and those elements who have seemingly have been cooperating with the Philippine government to bring a lasting peace to the region. It appears that Malik and his followers have forged bonds with the ASG in an effort to destabilize the region and retain local power through the use of violence and force. The midterm objective, in collaboration with Nur Misuari and his bid for the governorship, is likely to attempt translate local power to a wider regional influence. However, their apparent close association with elements of the ASG, and possible assistance in sheltering and protecting Umar Patek and Dulmatin, make them legitimate targets for AFP military operations, who show no sign of letting up on their campaign to break the back of the ASG.) [slr]