MILF is not a terrorist group – Jaafar

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front is not a terrorist group, MILF Vice Chairman for Political Affairs Ghadzali Jaafar amid allegations that the group knew the whereabouts of suspected terrorists Zulfikli Bin Hir, also known as Marwan, and Abdul Basit Usman, the targets of a police operation that claimed the lives of 44 elite commandos last January 25.

"Hindi po terorista ang MILF kundi revolutionary organization," he said in a report on 24 Oras that aired on Tuesday.

He also belied Philippine National Police officer-in-charge Leonardo Espina's belief that the MILF had coddled the alleged terrorists.

"Hindi totoo na alam namin. Paano niya alam na alam namin?" said Jaafar.

Ceasefire, blood ties

In the 24 Oras report, Jaafar said that according to the group's initial investigation, a MILF commander called for a ceasefire early morning of January 25 in the middle of the firefight between SAF troopers and members of the MILF, BIFF, and private armed groups. But shots continued to be fired at him.

Jaafar also said that it is likely that the SAF troopers clashed with MILF and BIFF members who are related. But this does not mean that the two groups are connected. BIFF separated from MILF after the Memorandum of Agreement on the Ancestral Domain was not signed in 2008.

"Very strong pa rin ngayon ang tinatawag na blood is thicker than water. Kung kamag-anak eh talagang kamag-anak. Hindi maiwasan na kung may nangyari doon sa kamag-anak niya, tutulungan niya sapagkat kamag-anak niya," he explained. — Trisha Macas/BM/JST, GMA News