MILF still making weapons? Cayetano, Iqbal disagree

From ABS-CBN (Feb 12): MILF still making weapons? Cayetano, Iqbal disagree

[Video report: Iqbal faces Senate, insists MILF committed to peace]

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday accused the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) of manufacturing its own weapons including high-powered firearms that were used in the firefight in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

During Thursday's Senate hearing on the Mamasapano carnage, Cayetano questioned MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal about an address in barangay (sitio) Katol, General Salipada Pendatun, Maguindanao, which was allegedly the site of an MILF weapons manufacturing facility.

"Can you tell me kung bakit significant ang address na ito? Di ba ito ang address ng pagawaan ng armas ng MILF?" he asked.

He also showed a photo of a Barrett M107 .50 caliber sniper rifle, which has a maximum range of 2 kilometers.

"Ito po ang pumatay at bumasag sa bungo ng marami po sa ating mga SAF. Ang isa nito ay P750,000 to P1,000,000. Hindi po kaya ng dalawang buwan na training ang gumagamit nito dahil ang effective range nito sa .50 caliber na bala ay 2 kilometers. Ito po ay may gawaan na po ng bala nito kaya kahit anong surrender ng gamit, ay meron na po," he said.

He also said there is a Bangsamoro Military Industries (BMMI) which has three weapons factories.

Iqbal denied any knowledge of the factory or any existing BMMI.

Cayetano also alleged that the MILF has an "academy" in Maguindanao where Malaysian bomb-maker Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, took refuge during a previous operation.

The MILF negotiator confirmed the MILF used to have an academy in Camp Abubakar, but it no longer exists.

Relieved SAF commander Getulio Napenas said he had heard about the alleged MILF academy in Mamasapano but had no confirmation.

The Senate is investigating the bloody January 25 firefight in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, which saw 44 police commandos and 18 Moro rebels killed.

Top officials have described the incident as a "misencounter", with both government and MILF calling for justice for their fallen soldiers.

CAYETANO CALLS MILF TERRORISTS

During the hearing, Cayetano labeled the MILF a terrorist organization, and cited a 2007 US congressional support that noted concerns about the MILF's alleged links to the Jemaah Islamiyah.

The senator, who has withdrawn his support for the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, said he stands by his accusation that the government should not continue peace negotiations with the MILF "but should continue the quest for peace unless the MILF turns its back on terrorism."

"Why have I labeled the organization as terrorist? Chairman Iqbal, I hope you understand that it is an international legal term. There is a definition for terrorism and I have several documents and studies explaining and I am sure you will dispute that," he said.

He said he welcomed Iqbal's statement that the MILF opposes terrorism, adding "we will agree to disagree." He also criticized the MILF for taking up arms against the government.

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, meanwhile, fought back tears as he tried to explain to Cayetano why the MILF should not be called terrorists.

He said the Philippine government did not tag the New People's Army as terrorists even though they also committed bombings and acts of arson.
Even in social media, he said many Filipinos are blaming the entire Moro people, not just a few, for the atrocities.

Cayetano, however, claimed MILF rebels beheaded soldiers in al-Barka, which is considered a terrorist act. He said the terrorist tag should only apply to armed combatants, and not the entire Bangsamoro people.

During the hearing, Iqbal condemned the atrocities perpetrated on a SAF trooper in Mamasapano, which was caught on video and posted in social media.

He also said the results of the peace process would mean development not just for Mindanao but for the entire country.

He said the public should be reminded about the various massacres committed against the Moro people, which led them to take up arms.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/02/12/15/milf-still-making-weapons-cayetano-iqbal-disagree