MILF guns bought with govt money?

From the Manila Times (Jan 27): MILF guns bought with govt money?

Malacañang is trying to determine if the P5 million the government gave to the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) three years ago has been accounted for amid talks that the money or part of it may have been used to buy arms and ammunition used by the group in clashes in Maguindanao that resulted in the death of 49 police commandos.

Undersecretary for Administration and Finance Jess Anthony Yu on Tuesday said while it is too early to make a conclusion, the Palace will check with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) if the money given to the MILF has been spent for purposes for which it was intended.

In 2011, President Benigno Aquino 3rd admitted giving P5 million to the MILF.
“We will verify this with the OPAPP, as of now I have no knowledge of this,” Yu said at the Bulong Pulungan media forum.

Netizens have raised suspicions that the P5 million the government gave the MILF could have been used to buy firearms and ammunition and these guns and bullets could have killed the police commandos.

The P5 million, in check, was handed by government chief negotiator Marvic Leonen to MILF Chairman Murad Ebrahim during formal exploratory talks held in Kuala Lumpur in August 2011.

Netizens also slammed the Aquino administration for being too “lenient” to the MILF.
“While the MILF showed no remorse for the death of our policemen and even blamed the government forces for the incident, the government appeared to be on the defensive,” posted a netizen in his Facebook account.

Another criticized the government for treating the MILF with kid’s gloves.
“Masyadong binebeybi [The MILF is being babied],” he said.

“The rotten politicians and their equally rottern cohorts in government are trying to sweep this issue under the rug and write it of as a ‘mistake.’ They are favoring the peace agreement and selling out the lives of our honorable soldiers. Let us not let our vigilance down and make sure that the truth comes out: No to terrorism, no to Bangsamoro Law!” the Peaceful, Responsible Owners of Guns (Progun) posted on its official Facebook page.

http://www.manilatimes.net/milf-guns-bought-govt-money/158638/