An Army officer has accused a Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leader of conniving with Abu Sayyaf and called for sanctions against those who provide safe haven to terrorists.
Col. Carlito Galvez, Jr., chief of the Army’s 104th brigade, recently filed a protest to the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) against MILF leader Malista Malanka over his supposed involvement in lawless activities like kidnapping and land grabbing.
The AHJAG consists of representatives from the government and the MILF and is tasked to isolate and interdict criminal and lawless groups in Mindanao.
In a letter to AHJAG dated October 9 and released to the media on Thursday, Galvez said Malanka has been aiding terror groups and has been providing safe passage for the Abu Sayyaf group under Furuji Indama and Sulayman Adjanti.
Galvez said Malanka was also involved in a kidnap and rape case in 2009 as well as ambuscades in 2011 and 2012 that left a total of 29 civilians and 12 soldiers dead.
The MILF leader, Galvez claimed, was also behind the land-grabbing of a rubber plantation in Basilan and extortion activities directed against businesses in the area.
“Ulitan and Bato-simbong, Sumisip also serve as safe areas for wounded ASG-lawless elements,” he said, adding that some members of Malista’s group are “notorious lawless elements.”
Malista has also been accused of providing reinforcements to Abu Sayyaf terrorists encountered by the 11th Scout Ranger Company led by Cpt. Harold Camaso, who died in the clash.
The encounter happened last October 8 in Barangay Tongbato.
“Malista’s Group greatly tarnished the image of the MILF in Basilan with his active involvement with ASG kidnap for ransom, extortion and other illegal activities,” Galvez said.
Galvez called for immediate delisting of Malista’s group from the MILF. He also recommended the submission of a complete list of MILF members in Basilan, saying many lawless individuals are now falsely affiliated with the group to evade arrest.
Galvez also cited the need for the MILF Central Command to impose “strong sanctions” against MILF commanders who are providing safe havens to the Abu Sayyaf.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/10/24/1248936/army-files-complaint-vs-milf-leader
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