MILF, Abu ‘connived’ during Basilan clash

From the Daily Tribune (Apr 15): MILF, Abu ‘connived’ during Basilan clash

At least five Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) commanders and their fighters aided elements of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf group who were the subject of military operations in Basilan province last Friday.

The intense firefight lasted for a day, resulting in the deaths of two soldiers and the wounding of 31 others while 18 casualties were reported on the Abu Sayyaf and MILF fighters’ side although not a single body was recovered.

A reliable military source identified MILF personalities involved in the encounter as commanders Parang Pais and Malista Malangka Sapaat, supporters of commanders Hamsa Sapanton, Abbas Salong and Rashid Iklaman.

“They (MILF fighters involved in the clashes) were related to the targeted Abu Sayyaf personalities,” the source said.

The military last Friday launched combat operations against the group of Abu Sayyaf leader Furuji Indama in Unkaya Pukan town.

Other Abu Sayyaf commanders targeted were Nurhasan Jamiri, Bashir Kasaran, Ibrahim Malat.

Another source supported the allegation of involvement of MILF fighters in the latest clash in Basilan.

“That (MILF aiding Abu Sayyaf) cannot be avoided because some, if not most, of Abu Sayyaf fighters, especially those operating in Basilan, are also MILF members or close relatives of MILF members,” the source said.

In fact, the second source stressed, the targeted Abu Sayyaf lair was located only 250 meters from an MILF-identified camp.

“That has become the tactic of the Abu Sayyaf, they establish lairs very near the MILF camps to avoid military operations,” he said.

But Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Maj. Gen. Domingo Tutaan Jr. denied that MILF elements were involved in the clash that ended Saturday.

“I would say they can be former MILF members who left or former MILF members who broke away from MILF itself and engaged in criminal activities. It’s not correct to say it’s MILF per se. It’s probably individuals on their own accord who are part of these activities,” he said.

Tutaan also cited the coordination between the Army’s 104th Brigade, under Brig. Gen. Carlito Galvez, and the MILF command in the area under Dan Laksaw Asnawi.

“That is not true. The MILF has not acted on this. In fact, Brigadier General Galvez is in close coordination with the 114th Base Command (of the MILF) as they pursue the operation,” the military official said.

The involvement of elements of the MILF came despite the recent signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) between the government of the Philippines (GRP) and the MILF which is designed to attain peace in Mindanao.

Meanwhile, Malacañang yesterday said both the GRP and the MILF peace panels are aware of the possibility that the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law could face scrutiny before the Supreme Court.

The Bangsamoro Basic Law is meant to create a Bangsamoro political entity that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“Well, some groups have already made known their intention to challenge the Bangsamoro Basic Law perhaps. That has not been passed yet to Congress. The both panels in their negotiations have already had that in mind,” deputy presidential spokesman Abgail Valte told a press briefing. She also stressed that both panels are prepared for these “challenges.” 

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/milf-abu-connived-during-basilan-clash