MILF seeks release of arrested commander

MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The chief peace negotiator of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front has said the secessionist group, which has just concluded a peace agreement with the government, wants the authorities to release its top commander who was arrested last Sunday in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

“It’s a big problem actually. That’s why we urge our counterpart in government to really find ways to facilitate the early release of our Commander Wahid (Tundok),” said MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal at the launch of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) primer on Monday night.

Iqbal and his government counterpart, Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, declined to give details about the ongoing discussion about Tundok’s arrest.

“Let’s not go into the details because, as you know, it’s a very sensitive matter and we’re still discussing it,” Ferrer said.

The two parties’ chief negotiators noted that the issue was now with the ceasefire committee made up of government and MILF representatives.

“We have coordination and protocol. So we just need to strengthen (them),” Ferrer said.

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