MILF commander denies role in Mamasapano carnage

Moro Islamic Liberation Front 118th base commander Ustadz Wahid Tundok claimed he and his troops were not involved in the Mamasapano clash where 44 elite lawmen were killed, a report from GMA's “24-Oras” said Thursday.

 

According to Tundok, they were actually 20 kilometers away at their base in Datu Saudi Ampatuan when the Philippine National Police Special Action Force encountered multiple armed groups.

 

Tundok's name was among those being floated as one of the MILF leaders who exchanged heavy gunfire with the PNP-SAF.

 

But Tundok denied this saying various bodies, including the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities , Philippine Government and the International Monitoring Team actually asked for his help to put a stop to the encounter.

 

“Nagpunta ako doon malapit sa Mamasapano. Kasama namin si CCCH, kasama namin si GPH, kasama namin ang IMT,” Tundok said.

 

He noted that it was CCCH Chair Gen. Carlito Galvez himself who personally asked him to meet with them to halt the hostilities.

 

“Humingi siya ng tulong paano mabreak ang putukan. Konti lang ang aking kasama,” Tundok said.

 

He also believes that it was Shariff Aguak Mayor Zahara Ampatuan who was responsible for floating his name. He said he has a longstanding row with Ampatuan.

 

Tundok added that the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit, Civilian Volunteer Organization and other assets accompanying the SAF were all employees of the mayor.

 

GMA News asked Ampatuan regarding the allegations but he declined to comment.

 

Tundok also said the MILF's 118th battalion was not aware that Malaysian Jemaah Islamiyah leader Zulkifli bin Hir also known as Marwan was in their area since Tuknalipao is particularly far from their base.

 

“Hindi namin alam ito dahil malayo talaga sa MILF 118th base [ang pinangyarihan],” he said.

 

For now, he said his group was waiting for the decision of the MILF's central committee in relation to the Mamasapano clash.

 

On January 25, the Philippine Government launched a massive operation against two notorious international terrorists in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, a known moro rebel stronghold.

 

Some 400 elite lawmen from the PNP's SAF branch conducted the operation but at least 44 were killed and 12 were injured after a support unit was allegedly flanked by armed rebels. —Andrei Medina/NB, GMA News