Fighting between Kato’s group, soldiers still rages

From the Manila Standard Today (Jul 9): Fighting between Kato’s group, soldiers still rages

The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters said on Monday that clashes between their forces and government troops continue to rage on in various areas in Maguindanao and North Cotabato.

Samsudin, a sub-commander of BIFF,  said that clashes continue in Brgy. Gatu Masasapano in Shariff Aguak.

He added that the fighting between BIFF forces and troops from the 6th Infantry Battalion at Shariff Aguak  followed earlier clashes in Brgy.  Bakat, Datu Piang and Bgry. Shariff Saydona, in Cotabato on Saturday and Sunday.

But the military denied the report, saying that they stopped their operation on Monday in deference to Ramadan, a Muslim holiday which starts today.

“We [stopped] the operations because Ramadan is already [about to start]. The only clearance given to us by the joint panel is three days to conduct law enforcement operations. So we have to abide by that so as not to derail the peace process,” Maj. Gen. Romeo Gapuz, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said.

Gapuz added that it was the BIFF rebels who launched an attack in an army post in Bgy. Bakat, but later withdrew with six casualties.

Samsudin, however, said that while the observance of Ramadan is “highly important” among Muslims, they had no other recourse but to defend themselves if the military attacks them.

He claimed that government troops attacked the hideout of Ameril Umbra Kato, the BIFF founder and leader, in Brgy. Gatu Masasapano.

“Fighting is ongoing after army soldiers attacked Kato’s hideout but his men retaliated,” Samsudin said.

He claimed that the army was trying to flush out Kato and his men from their hideout.

Kato, who used to be a ranking member of the MILF before his defection, is facing more than 80 criminal charges filed by the government before different courts in Mindanao.

In 2011, the MILF disassociated itself from Kato’s group and declared him a “bougat” or one who defies or does not obey an order and engages in lawless actions.

Kato currently carries a P10 million bounty on his head.

Gapuz said the military’s attacks against the BIFF were approved by the Adhoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) and the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) of the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
He added that they “will not relax” on security measures as the lawless Moro rebels are very much capable of launching attacks.

Gapuz said the number of fatalities on the government side rose to 6, an officer and five enlisted personnel, and two wounded in action.

“On the enemy side, the estimate is about 80. Pero ang sabi nila ang nakita lang dun is 18. Hindi naman pwedeng kunin yun because that is against their customs and tradition,” he said.

He admitted though that the figure is based on the information coming from civilians who allegedly saw the fatalities.

Meanwhile, Malacañang said that it remains confident that the clashes will not spill over on the ongoing peace talks.

“The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process is confident that the escalation of violence can be prevented by the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group and other security mechanisms,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

The clashes happened on the eve of the resumption of formal peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Government chief negotiator Miriam Ferrer earlier assured the public that  operations against Kato were cleared with the CCCH.

“All of the law enforcement actions that the military has taken are coordinated with the CCCH,” Ferrer said.

“We do not want that this would embroil the government and the MILF,” she added.

The military said Kato is “posturing” to disrupt the peace talks, which have reached critical stage as both panels finalize the three remaining annexes for the peace accord.

This week’s formal talks will run until Thursday, as both panels aim to resolve the thorny issue of wealth-sharing annex.

Ferrer said both panels will strive to “find compromises” during the four-day formal negotiations in Kuala Lumpur which began  Monday.

She said the government draft on wealth-sharing provides for a better fiscal arrangement than what is currently in place in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/07/09/fighting-between-katos-group-soldiers-still-rages/