MILF says it won’t tolerate erring rebels
By Edwin Fernandez, Jeoffrey Maitem
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 20:52:00 07/19/2008
Filed Under: Mindanao peace process, rebellion
COTABATO CITY -- The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has sanctioned its commanders, who were responsible for the violence that took place in some parts of Mindanao this month, a ranking rebel official said yesterday.
But Mohagher Iqbal, MILF chief negotiator, did not say what the specific sanctions were and who received them.
But he said ordinary guerrillas were only reprimanded.
“Our forces have been reprimanded for their acts,” Iqbal said.
He said the MILF leadership “imposed sanctions (to commanders) and let them pay the consequences of their acts.”
During the past days, MILF rebels staged attacks in Sarangani, North Cotabato, Maguindanao and Shariff Kabunsuan provinces.
Several people were killed in the said attacks.
Iqbal said the MILF leadership has always reminded commanders and ordinary rebels to respect the ceasefire agreement and be confined in the barracks.
But some MILF field commanders, he said, have acted on their own and launched the attacks.
“They did it out of frustration with the slow-paced peace talks. Masyadong matagal na kasi itong pag-uusap, maraming MILF commanders sa Mindanao ang frustrated sa peace process,” Iqbal told the Inquirer by phone.
The peace talks hit a snag over disagreements on the setting up of the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE). The government maintained that the future of the territory depends on a plebiscite to be held for the purpose.
Iqbal said as head of the MILF peace panel, he wanted the ceasefire agreement respected.
“I appeal to both sides (military and MILF combatants) not to be carried by emotions and let cooler heads prevail in the face of skirmishes happening in the region,” he said.
The military has already warned the MILF that it will dispatch soldiers to MILF areas if the rebels will continue harassing civilians.
“We are on a defensive position but should they continue, that’s another story, while we uphold the primacy of the peace process, we have the duty to protect the civilians,” Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, spokesperson of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division based in Shariff Kabunsuan province, said.
But Iqbal said addressing violence with violence will not help.
He said there is a proper mechanism to address the violations to the ceasefire accord.
Iqbal said if the government launches military offensive against the MILF as a result of attacks, everybody will suffer again.
Army chief Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado said there was no directive to attack MILF positions but soldiers were told not to allow themselves to be sitting ducks in the face of the offensives.
North Cotabato Vice Gov. Emmanuel Piñol said the MILF should control its men because if the attacks continue, it will make villagers fight back.
“If these atrocities will continue, the MILF will create communal conflicts and we cannot stop our people if they arm themselves to protect their lives and properties,” Piñol said.
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