MILF: Ruling voiding creation of Shariff Kabunsuan proves ARMM is not autonomous

MANILA, Philippines - The abolition of Shariff Kabunsuan province is proof of the lack of autonomy of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said Tuesday. In an article posted on the MILF website, MILF deputy spokesman Khaled Musa said the abolition by the high court is "irreversible proof" that the ARMM is "no autonomy at all." "It is an administrative region by any yardstick and not autonomous," Musa said, adding that this is also the reason why the MILF, unlike the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), cannot accept the ARMM as solution to the Bangsamoro Problem in Mindanao. Neither will the MILF occupy the ARMM in lieu of a transition government, Musa said. The MILF official noted that whoever occupies the ARMM will either be corrupted or cannot deliver services and development to the people of the region, citing the lack of solid developments attributed to all the changing regional governors. On the other hand, the MILF cited a Moro lawyer's comment on the Supreme Court decision as saying that the ruling will have far reaching and adverse consequences to elected officials in the province. If the decision becomes final, the election of Governor Datu Andal Ampatuan and all other officials elected with him may be subjected to questions since they were elected only by voters from Maguindanao's first district and not those from the second district where Shariff Kabunsuan is situated. - GMANews.TV