Kato’s death, if true, has no impact on peace talks—MILF spokesman

MANILA, Philippines – The death of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front commander Ameril Umra Kato, if true, won’t affect the ongoing peace negotiations and that those who joined him in the breakaway group he formed were welcome to come back to the MILF, a spokesman for the Moro rebel group said Friday.

Informal peace talks between the MILF leadership and the Aquino administration resumed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in October.

“Wala sigurong mabigat na implication ito [Kato’s death], walang negative impact ito sa ating [I don’t think there is a heavy implication, no negative impact with our] peace talks,” Von Al Haq said.

At the same time, Al Haq said the MILF was open to the return of members from Kato’s Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM) but “that is if they toe the line and as long as they adhere to MILF policy”.

But in contrast to Gadzhali Jaafar, MILF vice chairman, Al Haq said they believed that Kato was still alive until proof of his death could be shown.

“Hindi siya patay, unless makakuha tayo ng ebidensiya, ang masasabi lang namin hindi siya patay [He’s not dead and unless there is evidence, all we can say is he’s not dead],” Al Haq told INQUIRER.net.

He added that he has contact with Kato’s close relatives and none of them has confirmed that the BIFM leader was dead.

The military on Saturday claimed that Kato had allegedly died due to a stroke. Weeks before, the military had offered Kato medical assistance but the BIFM turned down the offer.

He also identified Mohammad Ali Tambako, the BIFF vice-chairman as a possible candidate to replace Kato.

Kato, a former MILF commander that led the 105th Base Command, formally declared that he and his men have disbanded from the MILF on September 19.

Kato is wanted for atrocities he and his men conducted in 2009 after the Supreme Court ruled that the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain was unconstitutional.