September 29, 2012 News: The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) through its political and military organs in the province of Sulu will hold a people’s assembly there before the year ends.

Hassan Hatab, an MILF political officer, based in Jolo, Sulu told Luwaran in a phone interview that holding an assembly similar to the one held in Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao in July this year has long been overdue.

Organizers put the number of participants to the assembly at 550,000.

On July 29-31, 2005, the MILF also held a similar assembly, during its peace negotiations with the Arroyo administration. The talks failed after a draft agreement angered Christian politicians and other sectors who claimed it was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court eventually declared it as such.

Hatab, a former MNLF official who joined the MILF, said the growing number of members and fighters of the MILF in Sulu, a traditional bastion of the MNLF, requires that our presence is felt and known to the outside world.

“We have the initial plan already, but what is required is the approval of the MILF Central Committee before we can start with the leg-working,” Hatab disclosed.

He also disclosed that they have sent emissaries to both traditional and political leaders in the province about the plan and their response, he added, are encouraging and they expressed their willingness to attend if formally invited.

However, the identities of the politicians were not disclosed.