MILF joins war on drugs, nabs 30 suspects

COTABATO CITY—Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters have rounded up at least 30 suspected drug pushers and users in two Maguindanao towns since Wednesday, a rebel official said on Saturday.

Von al-Haq, spokesperson of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, the MILF’s armed wing, said the arrests were in support of President Duterte’s antidrug campaign.

He said their forces, backed by government authorities, conducted operations in the towns of Sultan Mastura and Sultan Kudarat and arrested those who had been previously warned but persisted in their illegal activities.

Those arrested would be subjected to further investigation, Al-Haq said.

“Expect that there will be more arrests in the coming days,” he added.

Last year, the MILF central committee issued an order to all field commanders to launch vigorous antidrug campaigns in their areas of operation.

Shabu use ‘haram’

The MILF said the use of shabu was “haram (prohibited)” as it destroys life and the future of the Bangsamoro.

When President Duterte came to office, the MILF formalized an agreement with the government that it would lead the anti-illegal drugs campaign in MILF-controlled areas.

Under the agreement, however, MILF rebels were not allowed to take part in arrests or actual antidrug operations and their participation was limited to information sharing.

Aside from the MILF, the New People’s Army (NPA) has also been conducting an antidrug campaign in support of Mr. Duterte’s goal of drastically reducing the drug problem.

There had been reports of drug suspects being killed by NPA rebels in some parts of Mindanao, particularly in Compostela Valley and Davao del Norte.

The rebels also abducted police officers and soldiers reported to be involved in the illegal drug trade only to release them later “in the spirit of the peace process.”