Military saddened by death of MILF commander Solaiman

COTABATO CITY, Philippines–The military said it was saddened by the death of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) commander Musanip Solaiman as the senior rebel leader was an active partner in peace efforts in Maguindanao.

Col. Prudencio Asto, speaking for the 6th Infantry Battalion, said even if it was an MILF leader, Solaiman, more popularly known as Commander Adan, preferred diplomacy in settling causes of violence in the war-torn province.

Adan died of cardiac arrest on Tuesday, the MILF has confirmed.

“He was a peacemaker revolutionary, who preferred peaceful means of settling long-standing family feuds in Maguindanao,” Asto said.

He said in 2008, Adan was among MILF commanders who declined to heed the call of Ameril Umra Kato for an armed uprising amid the government’s backtracking on the memorandum on ancestral domain.

The Moa-Ad, which was crafted by government and MILF negotiators, would have given the MILF a larger area of control under an autonomous setup.

It was eventually trashed as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
Adan, 73, headed the 106th Base Command.

The MILF said Adan was in Barangay Laguilayan in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat when he collapsed.

He expired from cardiac arrest while being treated at a private hospital in Tacurong City, the rebel group said.