Gov’t peace panel reviewing cases of 4 arrested MILF rebels

From the Sun Star (Jun 13): Gov’t peace panel reviewing cases of 4 arrested MILF rebels

THE Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel is currently reviewing the cases of three members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who were separately arrested recently and subject of a protest by the Muslim rebel group.

Government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said Thursday that the panel, through its Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), has been furnished the copy of the protest filed by the MILF on June 8 regarding the arrest of four alleged MILF members.

"We are presently reviewing the documents and the circumstances pertaining to the arrests," she said.

Citing initial reports submitted by the Philippine National Police, Ferrer said that the law enforcement operation in Polomolok, South Cotabato on May 31 was covered by two separate search warrants against two men. The search yielded several types of ammunition and a weapon, leading to the men’s detention.

The arrest of another male person in Pantao Ragat, Lanao del Norte on June 8 was, on the other hand, covered by a warrant of arrest issued on the charge of frustrated murder, she said.

"We are still awaiting information on the fourth case of protested arrest in Sultan Kudarat province that reportedly took place on May 28," she said.

Ferrer noted that the Ceasefire Guidelines prohibit "unjustified arrests" -- not arrests per se.

"In this regard, we are looking into the basis for the arrests, the procedures undertaken by the police in the conduct of these specific law enforcement operations, as well as the current situation of those who have been arrested," she said.

She assured the families of those arrested that government will observe due process and all the attendant rights of the detained.

The GPH-CCCH will be issuing a reply to its counterpart MILF-CCCH as soon as the government completes its internal inquiry, she said, adding that as in other cases of alleged violations of the ceasefire committed by either side, the process set out in the Ceasefire Guidelines shall apply.

"We continue to appeal for prudence on one and all to ensure that no opportunity will be given to those who wish to undermine the process," the official stressed.

The MILF earlier complained on the arrest of its four members in separate incidents as it warned that this could adversely affect the peace process.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2013/06/13/gov-t-peace-panel-reviewing-cases-4-arrested-milf-rebels-287262