AFP demands surrender of 6 MILF commanders tagged in crimes

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines has demanded that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) give up six criminal suspects, including a commander who led the ambush in Al Barka, Basilan on October 18 that killed 19 Army Special Forces troops and wounded 14 others.

The military demanded the surrender of Laksaw-Dan Asnawi, commander of the MILF 114th Base Command based in Al Barka, during the meeting of the Philippine Government-MILF coordinating committee on the cessation of hostilities (CCCH) and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) last Saturday in Davao City.

The military also demanded that the MILF surrender Abu Sayyaf commanders Furuji Indama and Long Malat who were believed to be in the MILF’s custody and who also led the ambush in Al Barka.

In the joint meeting in Davao City, the AFP also demanded that the MILF turn over its commander Waning Abdusalam, a notorious kidnap gang leader who has been the target of ongoing military offensives Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Aside from Abdusalam, the AFP also demanded that the MILF turn over its commanders Putot Jakaria and Ogis Jakaria who have pending murder cases.

In an interview, Brigadier General Ariel Bernando, head of the government panel in the CCCH, said they would coordinate with their counterparts out of respect for the peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the MILF.

“They are amenable to using the peace mechanism,” Bernardo replied when asked for the MILF’s reaction.

When asked what they would do if the MILF refused to comply, he said: “Let’s not speculate because these things are under the joint (committee).”

“We will not go in there unilaterally… The target has to be clearly identified. You can not wage war with everyone. We’ll be guided by the AHJAG teams,” Bernardo said.

Warrants of arrests have also been issued for Talib Jail Indal, Datu Saramain Indal, Tareed Mangunda, Morsede Jalal, Harid Andaya, Pendatun Datukali, Mohmim Karim and Alnajer Sali, all wanted for criminal cases involving murder, kidnapping, illegal detention, among others.

The AFP spokesman, Colonel Arnulfo Burgos, said they wanted the MILF to turn over the wanted suspects “as soon as possible, otherwise the military will pursue them within the framework of the peace mechanism.”

“We will never lose sight of the primacy of the peace process while we conduct aggressive and focused combat operations against those armed elements threatening to harm our citizens,” he said.

Law enforcement operations throughout Mindanao are being conducted by joint forces of the Philippine National Police and AFP to pursue all lawless elements in the region. Matikas Santos, INQUIRER.net