MILF turns over 2 arrested soldiers to peace monitors

Moro rebels while inside their camp in remote village of Mamasapano town in Maguindanao Abaya. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Two Philippine Army soldiers arrested by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front  (MILF) security group during the Moro Leaders’ Assembly in Darapanan, in Sultan Kudarat were turned over Wednesday to the headquarters of the International Monitoring Team in Cotabato City.

The soldiers were identified as Sergeant Sammy Pasadilla and Private First Class Jamer Maulana, Civil Military Operations of the 603rd Brigade, Army’s 6th Infantry Division, the MILF said in a statement.

The soldiers were turned over  to Brigadier General Jose Roa, head of the government Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities.

The two soldiers, who were nabbed in separate occasions, did not resist when arrested by MILF security forces, who were alerted earlier of the presence of suspicious-looking persons.

The two motorcycles and personal belongings also recovered with the soldiers, were also returned to them.

In the turnover papers, the MILF reminded the government that uncoordinated movements and activities are violations of the ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Army 6th Infantry Division spokesman Colonel Prudencio Asto told reporters that the soldiers were not spies or infiltrators.

He said they were on their way to Camp Siongco and just took a shortcut near Darapanan.