Military urges Kato followers to surrender, be part of peace talks

MANILA, Philippines—Whether their leader is dead or seriously ill, followers of renegade Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) commander Ameril Umbra Kato were told to either surrender to the government or to return to the mainstream MILF and be part of the peace process.

A spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Kato is clearly no longer able to lead his men whom he has banded under the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

“We have confirmed he is seriously ill … He is incapable of leading the group. I hope members of Kato’s group, whoever is leading it, will rethink their stand and resolve their differences with the MILF so the peace talks with the MILF will move forward,” said Colonel Arnulfo Burgos Jr.

“What’s best is that they surrender to the government to answer for the crimes they did. Kato led the group in the unfortunate incident in 2008,” Burgos added.

Kato has outstanding arrest warrants for at least 84 murder cases in various courts for launching attacks in North Cotabato in 2008 after the botched signing of Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD).

The attacks also displaced thousands of residents in North Cotabato and Maguindanao.

“They should already surrender and face the charges against them,” Burgos said.

Neither the AFP nor the MILF has verified reports which came out on Saturday that the 76-year old Kato has died.

On Sunday BIFF spokesman Abumisry Mama denied that their leader has died but admitted Kato suffered a mild stroke on Wednesday.

Burgos said reports reaching them described Kato to be “too weak to the point that he is bedridden.”

“Our offer of a medical assistance is still standing,” he said.

The AFP estimated Kato’s armed followers to number between 300 and 400.

“This has a big effect on the morale of his men,” Burgos said.

Last September, the MILF declared that they have already expelled Kato, who used to head their 105th Base Command, which meant he and his men are no longer covered by their ceasefire agreement with the military.

But the military has so far not gone after Kato’s group.

“That is part of law enforcement operation. We course it through the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities between the government and the MILF,” Burgos said.