Maguindanao massacre suspect not hiding in MILF-controlled area – spokesman

DAVAO CITY – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front denied reports that a kin of the Ampatuan allegedly involved in the Maguindanao massacre is hiding in an area controlled by the rebel group.

Von Al-Haq, spokesman of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, said in a phone interview that the group is not providing shelter nor protecting Bahnarin “Datu Ban” Ampatuan, one of the primary suspects in the massacre.

Private prosecutor Harry Roque said earlier that his clients have received reports that the suspect is hiding in MILF-controlled areas specifically those under the MILF’s 106^th Base Command.

The report says that Ampatuan and his group are hiding in houses made by the Department of Social Welfare and Development along the Kabulnan River in the town of Mamasapano.

Al-Haq denied the allegations explaining that the suspects are original residents in the area but would not mean that they are collaborating with the MILF.

“These suspects are native inhabitants of Maguindanao and it so happen that it is an MILF dominated area, but it would not mean that the suspects are mingling with us,” Al-Haq said.

The rebel spokesperson hinted that state security forces know the location of the suspects but are not moving to apprehend him.

“I believe the authority knows very well the suspect’s exact location,” Al-Haq said.