MILF official: ‘We are not terrorists’

MILF’s Committee on Cessation of Hostilities Chairman Rashid Ladiasan. Photo by Cesar Tomambo / Senate PRIB

MANILA, Philippines–“We are not terrorists—(we) the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front). We’ve been fighting terrorism in all forms through the peace process.”
Rashid Ladiasan, chairman of the MILF’s Committee on Cessation of Hostilities, lamented after Senator Alan Peter Cayetano lashed out at the MILF during the Senate hearing on the Mamasapano clash that killed 44 policemen.

He also denied MILF’s connection with its splinter group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

“Hindi po sila naniniwala sa peace process. We did not sacrifice more than 17 years para lang mawala ‘yung opportunity ng peace. We will act accordingly,” he said.

(They don’t believe in the peace process. We did not sacrifice more than 17 years just so we could lose the opportunity to attain peace. We will act accordingly.)

Ladiasan added that allegations of MILF coddling terrorists, including Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist Zukifli Bin Hir or Marwan, have already been addressed and clarified.

“We even provided places and cooperation with the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines to allow the peace process to undertake its course. We’ve been doing all of these,” he said.

In turn, Senator Grace Poe asked Ladiasan to furnish the Senate copies of their operation plan with the PNP and the AFP to get terrorists.

He also thanked Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Ging Deles and Peace Panel chair Miriam Colonel-Ferrer for supporting the government’s deal with the Muslim community.

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