MILF on mission to find Kato’s grave

COTABATO CITY—The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Saturday said its ground forces in Maguindanao had begun looking for the burial site of Ameril Umra Kato amid denials of his reported death by his family and followers.

Von Al Haq, spokesperson of the MILF, said the search for Kato’s grave was being conducted with the participation of residents near areas suspected to be the renegade Moro leader’s burial ground.

“We have experts who can identify if the grave found is his,” Al Haq said without elaborating.

He said the MILF wanted to put to rest the controversy brought about by Kato’s “death” by finding his grave.

‘Alive,’ ‘well’

“If that happens, Kato’s men can no longer deny their leader had died,” Al Haq said.

Abu Misri Mama, spokesperson of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), the armed wing of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM) founded by Kato, admitted he had not seen Kato in a long time but maintained that their leader was alive.

Asked if he recently spoke with the BIFM leader, Mama said they were told not to phone Kato if they had things to clarify with him. He said BIFF leaders closer to Kato had told him and other ranking members they would be the ones to contact them when important matters would be discussed.

“They told us they will be the ones who will call us,” he said.

In a text message to the Inquirer on Friday, Kato’s son Aliudeen said his father was well.

No photos, interview

“We know that this rumor that my father is dead is coming from out there, (referring to the MILF) but we are just ignoring it. What is important is that my father is still strong,” he said.

But he declined an Inquirer request to be allowed to take photos of his father.

The BIFF also continued to decline requests by reporters for an interview.

“Soon we will invite the media to come and see Kato,” Mama said.

“He may not grant an interview but you will see for yourself that he is alive,” he added.

Aliudeen explained that his father was much concerned about his security situation.

Kato has 32 arrest warrants against him issued by the courts, following a series of attacks in North Cotabato and Maguindanao towns in connection with the failed signing of a memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain in 2008.

No reason to doubt report

Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF political affairs chief, said they had no reason to doubt the report they got on Kato’s death.

“They just don’t want to confirm it to prevent their men from suffering from low morale,” he said.

Jaafar said the naming of a caretaker leadership for the BIFM, the group that Kato founded after bolting the MILF last year, bolstered the claim of the MILF source.

Michael Mastura, MILF peace panel member, said Kato’s first wife issued the report on Kato’s death. He said the wife took care of the ailing Kato in Toril, Davao City.

Jaafar said Kato’s family and top BIFM commanders held on Thursday a big kanduli in Camp Alfaro (formerly Camp Omar) in Maguindanao.

“They slaughtered two cows,” Jaafar said.

A kanduli is a form of food offering held in times of bereavement or triumph among Moro Muslims.

Jaafar said the kanduli was held on Thursday as a seventh day offering for Kato’s demise.

But Mama said Kato would face the media in due time to prove he is not dead.

He said they could not understand why the MILF was concocting stories about Kato’s supposed death and accused Jaafar of lying.

“The MILF conclusion: Kato has died,” Jaafar maintained.

When informed that even Kato’s son was denying the MILF claim, Jaafar said: “We have evidence but there is no need for us to show it.”

Apparently irked, Jaafar added: “If you do not believe what we are saying, this will be the last interview we will grant on Kato.”