Filipino Insurgents Oppose Privatization of Hydropower Facilities

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front has expressed opposition to the privatization of the Agus and Pulangui hydropower plant facilities in Mindanao.

The MILF has also urged the government to suspend offshore natural gas exploration off the island.

MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghazali Jaafar stated that the MILF Central Committee decided to oppose the energy developments following a meeting at the MILF compound at Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao, Davao City MindaNews reported.

According to a resolution subsequently released by the MILF Central Committee, "Resources constitute one of the four strands in the Bangsamoro Ancestral Domain issue that is central to the ongoing peace negotiation between the GPH (government of the Philippines) and MILF,"adding that as long as this issue remains unresolved, attempts to exploit and utilize these natural resources by foreign entities in partnership or with express permission of the government would result in depriving the Bangsamoro people of their collective proprietary right over the resources.
 
The MILF, the largest armed Filipino Muslim Moro insurgent group, stated that while they are not against economic development, it must be directed towards improving the living conditions of the Bangsamoro people and sharing the benefits of such development with all the inhabitants of Mindanao and Sulu rather than solely benefiting the stockholders of the companies constructing the facilities.

By. Joao Peixe, Deputy Editor OilPrice.com