Medical offer for Kato doesn’t mean he’s off the hook

MANILA, Philippines—Government’s offer of medical assistance to Moro rebel leader Ameril Umbra-Kato doesn’t mean he’s now off the hook, military spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Burgos said Friday.

“Of course, medical attention first. After the medical treatment, it’s a normal thing that he has to face charges filed against him,” Burgos told reporters after the military offered Kato, who reportedly suffered a mild stroke, medical assistance.

“But of course he will be given his right and accorded due process,” Burgos said in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, stressing that Kato’s reported medical condition would be the priority in case he accepts government’s hospitalization offer.

Sixth Infantry Division Brigadier General Rey Ardo offered Kato hospitalization following reports the leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front breakaway group had suffered a “mild stroke.”

Burgos said that the offer of Ardo is a sign of sincerity on the military’s end.

“This is just shows our sincerity and our commitment in wining peace exhausting avenues of winning peace,” Burgos said.

He said that a similar offer was given to New People’s Army rebel leader Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal after the military received intelligence reports that the leader was ill but Rosal turned down the offer. The rebel group confirmed Rosal’s death last month.

Burgos admitted that he did not know the exact health condition of Kato but said that his illness could affect the activities of his group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

“This has a big effect on their morale. In terms of operational capability, if the one who leads troops is sick. He is ineffective,” Burgos said.

Kato was formerly the commander of the MILF’s 105^th Command, which was behind the atrocities in North Cotabato in 2008 after the Supreme Court ruled that the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain was unconstitutional. Kato’s groups splintered from the MILF early this year.