MNLF offers to help probe the Cotabato car bomb attack

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 13): MNLF offers to help probe the Cotabato car bomb attack
 
A bigger faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has offered to help the government in determining those behind in the August 5 car bomb attack here that left eight persons killed and at least 40 others wounded.

Former Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema, chair of a bigger faction of the MNLF, said their group is conducting its own separate and independent investigation in the deadly blast that claimed the lives of eight Bangsamoro.

Sema also warned of too much speculations on the incident since it will only create chaos and loss of confidence to police and military authorities.

Sema also urged the Muslim and Christian communities in the city to provide authorities with the necessary information that would lead to the identification of the suspects and the mastermind.

He was saddened by the incident since it created cracks in the national government's efforts to achieve genuine peace in southern Philippines.

"The name of the city has been heavily tainted with these nonsense violence," Sema said.

The MNLF signed a peace deal with the national government on September 1996 hope to achieve development in southern Philippines but were repeatedly disturbed by lawless elements who do not want peace in Bangsamoro homeland.

Sema said the vital information of Muslim and Christian residents can provide to authorities will surely unmask the men behind the deadly and barbaric act.

Mayor Japal Guiani Jr and his sister, city administrator Cynthia Guiani Sayadi both claimed they were the target of car bomb attack.

Police and military authorities blamed an emerging terror group called Kailahaf Islamiah Mindanao which is composed of rogue BIFF and MILF members, as behind the rash of bombings.

The MILF which is talking peace with Manila has also offered to help in the manhunt against the bombers.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=554428