Ilaga joins 'P20M' hunt for rogue MILF commanders - report

MANILA, Philippines — The "Ilaga" vigilante group has joined the hunt for two "rogue" Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) commanders a day aft6er the government doubled the reward for information leading to their capture. Radio dzRH reported Saturday afternoon that the "Ilaga" movement's commander using the name Mike Santiago claimed they are ready to "help" government track down Commanders Bravo and Umbra Kato. Members of the "Ilaga" movement surfaced last month as the forces of Kato and Bravo went on a rampage, attacking villages after the Supreme Court stopped the signing by government and MILF peace negotiators of a memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain. Ilaga leaders said they have no recourse but to reorganize to protect their villages. Derisively described by the MILF as the Ilonggo Land Grabbers Association, the Ilaga gained notoriety during the military regime of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos in the 70s and early 80s for their alleged ruthlessness. According to the dzRH report, Santiago said they can use the reward money - up to a combined P20 million - to help victims of MILF atrocities rebuild their lives. He said residents of areas attacked by MILF forces led by the two commanders had lost their lives, their homes, and their livelihood - including farm animals. MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar on Saturday said the MILF top leadership has lost contact with the two commanders, and hinted the two may be on their own. - GMANews.TV