July 9,2012: Estimated 100 members of the media are expected to attend the press conference called by the MILF leadership, which will start at 2:00 PM this afternoon.

Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim will be the resource speaker.

As of yesterday,  90 media personalities and news agencies, several of which were foreign wire and cable television services, have registered for accreditation to cover the four-day MILF-sponsored “Moro Leaders’ Assembly” held at Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

Before the start of the formal press conference, organizers told Luwaran that a 15-minute video presentation of the highlights of the assembly will be shown to provide the media men, especially those who were not able to come earlier, a general perspective of the event.

Bobby Maulana Alonto, a member of the MILF peace panel, acts as moderator of the press conference.

A portion of Murad’s press statement, which Luwaran had the chance to get an advance copy, read as follows:

“Let me tell you that the objectives of this “Moro Leaders’ Assembly” are two-fold: First, to engage these leaders into a frank and brotherly dialogue in order to get their views, advice,   and wisdom on a problem that nags our people for decades --- and how to get out of this mess effectively. This problem is about our weakness to act together with one voice. While we do not fight one another in open warfare, but the truth is that we are fractious in our ways to advance the cause of our people for freedom and right to self-determination. The result is that we are weak, fragmented, and looked down. And second, we requested them to share their thoughts on how best the MILF could carry on its peace negotiation with the Philippine government and how to get the most out of the endeavor in the form of self-governance short of granting our people their independence.   I am happy to inform you that most of those present, representing various affiliations and parties, wholeheartedly offered their support or advice to this peace-making efforts between the MILF and the government, and those who cannot say it openly confided to us that they do not stand on the way. By this, they are already helping us indirectly.”

He also touched on the result of the dialogues with the Moro leaders yesterday.

He said, among other things, that the result was very encouraging and overwhelmingly, they strongly suggested that the Coordinating Committee organized through the initiative of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) be activated and strengthened immediately wherein the MILF, MNLF, and all its factions, and other Moro organizations, after fulfilling certain qualifications, will radiate and work together to promote the general welfare of the Moro people.

He noted that only a handful expressed some reservations, which the dialogue’s secretariat took note for further deliberation in the future.

He also disclosed that the leaders unanimously endorsed the negotiation of the MILF with the Government of the Philippines. They wished that the process would not only fast track but has to conclude without delay. They also reiterated the need for inclusivity which the MILF had already adopted as a matter of principle and policy.