MILF leader’s arrest called ‘bad timing’

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

COTABATO CITY, Philippines—Leaders of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have joined the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in calling for calm and sobriety following the arrest of an MILF ground commander and his escorts here on Sunday.

“Let us continue to preserve the gains of the peace process being undertaken by the government and the MILF. There should not be unnecessary moves that would rock the boat, but instead work for the common good of the Bangsamoro,” ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman said.

Chief Supt. Noel de los Reyes, regional police chief, said the lawmen were “carrying out a court order” for Wahid Tundok’s arrest on arson and other criminal charges.

Hataman described the incident as “wrong timing, bad timing, when we are already nearing the homestretch of our peace endeavor.” The government and the MILF wrapped up negotiations to end the decades-long Moro insurgency in Mindanao.

The ARMM governor, who flew in from Manila on Monday, reminded government troops of an existing ceasefire agreement between the government and the MILF that formed truce monitors, such as the Ad-Hoc Joint Action Group, the Coordinated Committee of the Cessation of Hostilities, and the International Monitoring Team.

“While the central committee of the MILF is reaching out for resolution of the problem, we from the LGUs (local government units) are doing our part toward that end,” said Mayor Zahara Ampatuan of Sharif Aguak, Maguindanao province.

Ampatuan and Datu Saudi Mayor Samsodin Dimaukom visited Tundok at the headquarters of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, where he is being held.

“He looks pale, perhaps because of his diabetes and the stress for the unexpected arrest,” Ampatuan said.

The mayor said the MILF leader has been helping LGUs in resolving armed conflict attributed to land dispute and family feud.

Dimaukom expressed hope that “everything ends well for both contending parties for the sake of peace and eventual progress of Maguindanao and its people.”

De los Reyes said “we are still hoping that arrest would not jeopardize the ongoing peace initiative of the government with the MILF.” He made the remarks during the celebration of the 23rd PNP-ARMM founding anniversary held in Parang, Maguindanao.

“We are law enforcers and, therefore, we have to enforce the law without fear or favor. In the three branches of government—from the executive, legislative and judiciary—come individual directives that we as a law enforcement agency have to carry out which is just part of our mandated job,” said Chief Supt. Getulio Napeñas, head of the Special Action Force who was guest of honor during the celebration. Charlie C. Señase, Inquirer Mindanao