MNLF blames MILF for NCotabato attack

From Tempo (Jun 28): MNLF blames MILF for NCotabato attack

A top official of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has accused another rebel group operating in North Cotabato of orchestrating recently an attack on his life and a sugar company located in Matalam town.

In an interview, MNLF Commander Datu Dima Ambil said that he could not think of any group that has reasons to ‘annihilate’ him and his men but the 108th base command of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Ambil said after the 30-minute gun fire last Sunday, they recovered from the site empty shells from armalite rifles and other highpowered firearms they considered ‘signature’ of the MILF.

Ambil and his men survived the attack.

He said the MILF launched the attack so they could take over the security of the Cotabato Sugar Central Corporation (Cosuseco) based in Barangay Kilada, Matalam.

Many of the security personnel of the Cosuseco are members of the MNLF.
Ambil said the MILF also attacked the truck yard of the Cosuseco.

The MILF vehemently denied the accusation.

Commander Noa Sabel of the MILF’s 108th base command, in an interview, said their leadership did not order the attack on Ambil and the Cosuseco last Sunday.

Sabel told authorities: “You do not easily accuse the MILF of orchestrating such attack just because you recovered from the site slugs of armalite rifles you believed come from us. There are other armed groups that also use those kinds of firearms.“

He said that there are other groups that do not want peace to reign in Matalam town.
“This group believes that if there’s war, there’s money,“ he explained.

Sabel stressed the MILF only wants unity among the `Bangsamoro’.

“We’ve long dreamed of peace and unity among the Moro people in our land. But it seems there are groups who do not want this to happen,“ he said.

http://www.tempo.com.ph/2013/06/mnlf-blames-milf-for-ncotabato-attack/#.Uc308I7D9jp