MILF exec to Estrada: Shut up

MANILA, Philippines—A Moro rebel official on Friday told former president Joseph Estrada to shut up as the disgraced leader called government to “pulverize” the Moro Islamic Liberation Front over the deadly Basilan clash.

Khaled Musa, deputy chairman of the MILF Committee on Information, said that Estrada has “no moral authority” to propose anything, because “he was found guilty of plunder and other crimes.”

An incensed Estrada on Thursday criticized the Aquino administration for being “soft” on the MILF, whose troops killed 19 soldiers and wounded 13 others in Basilan on Tuesday.

Estrada, who launched an all-out war against the MILF in 2000,  condemned the attack on members of the Philippine Army’s Special Forces, saying it smacked of “treachery as always” by the secessionist movement.

But for Musa, “It is better for him [Estrada] to be silent.”

The MILF official also criticized Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Senator Ping Lacson over their call for an “all-out war” against the Moro rebels .

“You are supposed to be leaders of the whole nation and your call is reminiscent of the 16th century policy of Spain against the Moros of Mindanao,” Musa said.

Musa even recounted that in 1972, Enrile, then secretary of National Defense, faked his own ambush in order to help justify the declaration of Martial Law by President Ferdinand Marcos where tens of thousands of victim were killed, injured, or incarcerated behind bars.

“Your hands are still dripping with Moro blood and you have not yet paid for them,” Musa said.