MindaNews: Kumander Bravo to face MILF disciplinary board

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines – Controversial Moro rebel field commander Abdulrahman Macapaar alias Kumander Bravo is facing an investigation by a disciplinary board created by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to look into his role and participation in the bloody attacks in several towns in Lanao del Norte in August. "A disciplinary board has been created by the MILF to conduct an impartial and thorough investigation into what happened in Lanao del Norte," MILF vice chair Ghazali Jaafar told reporters in Sultan Kudarat, Shariff Kabunsuan late last month. Kumander Bravo heads the 105th MILF Base Command that attacked the towns of Kauswagan and Kolambugan in Lanao del Norte on August 18 after the failed signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD). At least 12 civilians were killed during the attack and scores were slain in the ensuing military operations to capture the MILF field commander. Jaafar said the investigation is ongoing and that sanctions will be imposed on Kumander Bravo and other MILF rebel leaders if they are found to have violated the MILF rules of engagement. "The BIAF is following rules of engagement approved by the Central Committee," Jaafar explained. Jaafar, however, declined to say what sanctions await Kumander bravo and other MILF commanders if they are found guilty. “We cannot preempt the disciplinary board," Jaafar said. The MILF vice chair likewise declined to set a date when the probe will end. Mohagher Iqbal, MILF spokesman, however, assured reporters during the press briefing that the MILF will handle the issue "under the implementing guidelines of the (GRP-MILF) ceasefire agreement." As a revolutionary group, he said, the MILF has its own justice system. Also included in the investigation are allegation of atrocities committed by MILF commander Ameril Umbra Kato in Cotabato and Maguindanao provinces as well as the killing of two civilians and looting of a pharmacy and pawnshop in Maasim in Sarangani. The military has pictured Kumander Bravo as a lawless MILF rebel leader and said he is a "psychotic case." But residents in Munai, Lanao del Norte described the MILF commander as a good man. Bravo reportedly put a stop to cattle rustling, robbery, illegal drugs, illegal gambling and petty crimes in many remote villages in Lanao del Norte. In a related development, Jaafar said they disowned the statement issued by Bravo during an interview with ABS-CBN last month. "The last interview with Bravo was his own personal view and the MILF does not agree with him," Jaafar said. In that interview, Bravo challenged the government to a war of attrition. Bravo is now believed to be holed up in the boundary of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte. The military has set up blocking forces in the area to prevent Bravo from going back to Lanao del Norte. - Edwin G. Espejo, MindaNews contributor