SENADO 2016, sino nga ba?

Mustapha "Eid" Kabalu

Independent

Born May 3, 1956 in Datu Piang, Maguindanao

 

For over 10 years, he was the official mouthpiece of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). He was the most accessible official of the secessionist group for interviews, press releases and statements especially at the aftermath of battles between the MILF and government forces.

 

All up until 2012, when he completely turned around and joined the Armed Forces of the Philippines as a “peace consultant.”

 

This 2016, former rebel spokesperson Eid Kabalu is now vying for a senatorial position, a highlight of Kabalu’s burgeoning political career which began when he resigned the MILF in 2011 in order to pursue a position as acting chair of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

 

He later lost the position to Mujiv Hataman, at the appointment of President Aquino.

Still, Kabalu has at many times reiterated that no matter his affiliation, his mission is always for “genuine peace and progress for the entire Bangsamoro.” He also hopes for a peaceful resolution of the decades-old conflict in Mindanao.

           

Kabalu has been praised by some local officials, among them Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu who noted that Kabalu’s work could help resolve “rido” (feuds) among Moro clans. Rido, a conflict indigenous to the Mindanao region, is rooted in political and land ownership disputes.

           

Despite seemingly betraying the MILF, his relations with the rebel group still remain amicable, if only at the surface. Ghadzali Jaafar, the group’s political affairs chief, still wished Kabalu well in his pursuit of peace in Mindanao.

           

Even before his resignation, Kabalu had already been suspended from the MILF in 2010 for his political ambitions, which violated the MILF’s neutral politics policy. He reportedly met with various local and national politicians, among them Bangon Pilipinas Party (BPP) standard-bearer Eddie Villanueva.

           

It was during these meetings with the BPP that Kabalu had expressed support for a federal form of government, which they claimed is a “final and permanent solution to the pursuit of peace and progress in Mindanao.”

          

In 2015, Kabalu had expressed his disapproval of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), calling the bill unconstitutional. He believes the bill should not be passed unless necessary amendments are made to some of its questionable provisions.

           

As vice chairman of the Bangsamoro Transition Council, he instead offered to adopt an alternative strategy of creating a better BBL with the involvement of all sectors in Mindanao including the Lumad. Otherwise, he considers it completely questionable that the MILF even considered the draft bill offered by the government.

           

His actions in pushing for a diplomatic solution to the conflicts in Mindanao has come a long way since 2008, when Kabalu and other MILF leaders were hunted down by the military in the wake of rebel attacks in Lanao Del Norte and Maguindanao.

           

Despite former affiliations, he is now an ardently opposed to any further violence in Mindanao, as evidenced by his denunciation of Nur Misuari and his MNLF forces for his “dismaying actions” at Zamboanga City that had caused the deaths of both combatants and civilians alike.

 

As of March 2016, Kabalu’s campaign for senator appears to have minimal momentum. No pages, profiles or publicity materials campaigning for Kabalu have been set-up or posted anywhere in the searchable web. In addition, no information could be found if Kabalu is actively engaging in talks, rallies or other forms of grassroots campaigning.