Military urges MILF to take back Kato’s breakaway group

RENEGADE Moro rebel leader Ustadz Ameril Umra Kato. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

TAGAYTAY CITY, Philippines – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday urged the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to take back members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) group after reiterating that the rebel group’s leader Ameril Umbra Kato was dead.

“We encourage the MILF to extend the extra mile at ibalik nila sa main MILF yung mga naiwan ni Kato,” said Colonel Leopoldo Galon Jr, Eastern Mindanao Command spokesman, in a press conference held during the Public Affairs Officers Summit here.

“This is positive for the peace process,” he added.

Galon reiterated that their intelligence reports indicated that the break-away MILF leader has died butu admitted that they have no concrete proof on this.

The military has claimed that Kato died on Saturday at 6 p.m. due to a heart attack. Earlier, they offered Kato medical assistance after receiving intelligence reports that the rebel leader suffered a mild stroke.

“The burden of proof is with them [BIFF], not us,” he said.

Galon said that although they have no proof on the status of the BIFF group members, Galon said they urged the MILF to take them back.

He also downplayed claims by the BIFF that their leader wasn’t dead.

“Pathetic din yung pagkasabi na buhay pa si Kato. Even siya [BIFF spokesman], hindi niya nakita na talagang buhay pa si Kato,” Galon said.

He added that the group may be hiding the truth about Kato’s real status and may be having low morale.

Galon said that the military has no information yet on whether the BIFF has appointed a new leader, adding this is highly unlikely since the group has no one else who is as “charismatic” as Kato.

Kato, a former commander of the MILF’s 105th Base Command, was wanted for several attacks in North Cotabato in 2009 after the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain. He broke away from the MILF and created his own group, the BIFF.

The MILF and the Philippine government restarted peace negotiations this year.