MILF refuses to surrender 2 commanders

MANILA, Philippines - The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rejected Wednesday calls to surrender to the government its two commanders linked to a series of attacks in Mindanao in past weeks. MILF chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said that while they have "disciplinary problems" with commanders Umbra Kato and Bravo, the group will use "internal" rules to deal with them. "Meron kaming sariling rules on discipline. Kami ang bahala sa kanila (We have our own rules on discipline. We will take care of them)," Iqbal said in an interview on dwIZ radio. He refused to elaborate, and would only say that the MILF has "due process" and that such "disciplinary action" for the two commanders is "internal to us." Kato was linked to the MILF attack on North Cotabato villages, while Bravo was linked to the MILF's bloody attack on several provinces in the Lanao area Monday. "We have internal rules to address the issue," Iqbal said. On Tuesday, the government offered a P5-million reward each for any information leading to the arrest of Commander Bravo and Commander Kato. Kato was also reportedly wounded in an ambush in Shariff Kabunsuan Tuesday. On the other hand, Iqbal took a dig at the Commission on Human Rights for claiming the MILF's actions in recent days were terrorist acts. He dared the CHR to look at history and "charge" those responsible for past massacres against the Moro people, including the 1974 Palimbang massacre where 1,000 Moros were killed. Iqbal also said that in Monday's incident, "both sides" burned houses, referring to soldiers and paramilitary troops. Besides, he said the soldiers engaged in "state terrorism" by using aerial bombing to drive away the MILF. "Ano ba mas malaki, state terrorism na ginamit lahat na armas o individual terrorism (What is worse, state terrorism or individual terrorism)?" he said. Nonetheless, Iqbal said the MILF will continue to abide by the ceasefire and the peace process. - GMANews.TV