'MILF not coddling Maguindanao massacre suspects'

From Rappler (Nov 20): 'MILF not coddling Maguindanao massacre suspects'

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is not giving sanctuary to suspects in the Maguindanao massacre as the police suspect, a rebel spokesman said Tuesday, November 20. Von Al-Haq, spokesman of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, said there are no enlisted Moro fighters who were from the group involved in the massacre. “Up to this moment, we have no BIAF fighters who were involved or have participated in the incident,” Al-Haq said. However, Al-Haq acknowledged that some of the massacre suspects have relatives within the ranks of the BIAF. This doesn't mean, however, that the group would give them sanctuary, he added. The Philippine National Police earlier said that investigators are “validating reports that some of the massacre suspects have joined the MILF to seek protection. At least 92 of the total 195 total suspects remain at large 3 years since the country’s worst case of election violence that killed 58, mostly reporters. “If the PNP knows them, they should name names so that the BIAF can also counter check it in the ground,” Al-Haq said. “The report must be verified because this might be fabricated,” Al-Haq said. Al-Haq challenged the police to arrest the suspects even as he gave assurances that the MILF will not get in the way. To avoid miscommunication on the ground, he reminded government security forces that any operation to arrest the suspects must be properly coordinated with the MILF.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/16433-milf-not-coddling-maguindanao-massacre-suspects