Allaga to MILF: Drop 2 leaders, followers from group

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A top military official has demanded that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) remove two of its commanders and their followers and strictly remain within its Area of Temporary Stay (ATS) in Basilan Province. Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief Lieutenant General Nelson Allaga made these demands in the two-page protest he filed Monday before the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) based in Cotabato City. Allaga said a joint attack initiated by the two MILF commanders together with their followers and several Abu Sayyaf bandits on a Marine detachment early Sunday showed a treacherous attempt to derail the peace process and destroy the peace enjoyed by the local populace. The attack on the detachment in Tongbato village in the town of Ungkaya Pukan in Basilan is clearly a violation of the MILF-Philippine government ceasefire agreement, Allaga said. Seventeen soldiers including an officer were wounded in the attack that also resulted in the slaying of two of the attackers. Ten of the 17 injured soldiers were wounded when the V-150 Armed Personnel Carrier (APC) they were riding hit a landmine while on its way to reinforce the beleaguered detachment. The landmine explosion also destroyed the machinegun-mounted V-150 APC. Allaga revealed the attack on government troops was perpetuated by members of the MILF in Basilan, in particular Commanders Malista Malangka and Hamsa Sapanton, as well as the Indama brothers who were behind the beheading of Marine troops last year. The Basilan-based 1st Marine Brigade said the casualties on the enemy side included Renie Lawama Indama, a known Abu Sayyaf member, and Pathi Kabulot, an MILF member. Allaga said the MILF took advantage of a gap in security that occurred while the Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT)-8 was preparing for its departure for Cavite. The MBLT-8 is scheduled for retraining in Cavite and it will be replaced by the MBLT-10 that disembarked Monday from a Navy boat of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (Navforwem) at Majini in Zamboanga City en route to Basilan. - Sun.Star