Despite ‘fatwa,’ Erap vows to end MILF reign By Gerry Baldo 03/21/2010

TO HEAD OFF POWER VACUUM SECESSIONIST MOVEMENT ROOT OF MINDANAO WOES  Despite ‘fatwa,’ Erap vows to end MILF reign By Gerry Baldo 03/21/2010 A supposed “fatwa” or religious decree against his presidential bid has not changed former President Joseph Estrada’s determination to eradicate the Muslim secessionist movement if elected on May 10, saying this is necessary to bring peace in Mindanao. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) endorsed a fatwa by a group of Muslim scholars in Mindanao island, the heartland of the large Islamic minority, ahead of the May elections. “After studying the actions and policies of Mr. Estrada before and after his election as president until this present time, we found out that he is really an enemy of Islam,” MILF quoted the Bangsamoro Supreme Council of Ulama as saying. Estrada, who was in a campaign swing in Cotabato City yesterday, said he is not an enemy of Islam and that the MILF is his only target since the group continues to spread mayhem in Mindanao, Estrada said. .... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20100322hed1.html

HEADLINES Despite ‘fatwa,’ Erap vows to end MILF reign Palace downplays uprising claim Impeach case vs nine SC justices readied Gov’t retracts warning on junta No ‘credible’ gov’t action on massacre — Asia HR group MILF leader, mayor’s kin killed in Basilan