The Philippine National Police (PNP) filed 61 separate criminal complaints against leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who were responsible for the pillage of several barangays in North Cotabato.

                Chief Supt. Nicanor Bartolome, PNP spokesman, said the complaints include seven counts of murder, nine counts of attempted murder, one count of frustrated murder, 24 counts of arson and 19 counts of robbery in band.

                “The complaints were filed by the joint PRO [Police Regional Office]-12 and CIDG [Criminal Investigation and Detection Group] investigating team before the office of City Prosecutor Al Calica in Kidapawan City yesterday. Investigators continue gathering more evidence that the law enforcement and prosecution will present in court,” he said.

                Bartolome named the MILF res-
pondents as Commanders Ameril Umbra Kato, Kasanadel Pigkawalan, Usi Ampatuan and Nayang Timan, Datukalan Montok Samad, Tumalao Butuan, a certain Manampan and seve-
ral unidentified others.

                Last week, a separate complaint for serious illegal detention was filed against seven other MILF subleaders for the abduction of two residents in Pigkawayan, North Cotabato.

                Bartolome said another team of PNP investigators are documenting all statements, physical evidence and witnesses’ testimonies to build a strong case against Abdullah Saber Macapaan alias Commander Bravo, Aleem Sulaiman Pangalian alias Commander Panga-
lian and several other MILF leaders responsible in the attacks on civilians in several towns of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur early this week that killed 40 persons and displaced thousands of residents.

                On Tuesday, the Department of Interior and Local Government offered a reward of P5 million each for information leading to the arrest of Kato and Bravo.

                Bartolome gave assurance the legal actions against the renegade MILF leaders will not affect the peace negotiations.

                “We have a criminal justice system that operates based on the fundamental laws of the land. And violation of these laws are penalized according to the Revised Penal Code,” he said.

                Meanwhile, Sen. Loren Legarda demanded the immediate surrender of MILF “loose” field commanders Kato and Bravo.

                Legarda also said that unless peace and order in Mindanao is restored soonest and the two MILF commanders are put behind bars, the government should not entertain any peace talks with the MILF.

                “Peace initiative must still be pursued in Mindanao, but in the meantime, the two rouge commanders must surrender first,” said Legarda.

                “Only when the perpetrators of those criminal and inhumane acts are apprehended and made to answer in a competent court can the MILF come to the negotiating table,’ Legarda pointed out.

                While Muslim leaders had condemned the Moro rebels’ rampage, Legarda stressed that if the MILF really intends to show to the world its sincerity, it should also effect their immediate arrest so they can be brought before the court of justice.

                MILF forces led by Bravo on Monday raided three towns in Lanao del Norte, spraying gunfire and hacking innocent civilians to death in a rampage that left at least 30 people dead and thousands of residents fleeing their homes.

                The so-called rogue MILF forces burned hundreds of houses in North Cotabato, and ambushed an Army convoy where Lt. Col. Angel Benitez was killed.

                The raids apparently were an utter show of disappointment over the uncertainty of the botched memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain (MOA-AD) pending before the Supreme Court (SC).

                North Cotobato Vice Gov. Manny Piñol and other local officials in Mindanao had petitioned the Supreme Court to stop the signing of the MOA in Kuala Lumpur, saying it was done without proper consultation.

                At the same time, Sen. Pia Cayetano yesterday said the leadership of the MILF must first show willingness to discipline its own ranks and punish rebel leaders responsible for recent atrocities committed in Mindanao before any cease-fire is considered between government troops and the MILF.

                “The MILF leadership must first display a firm commitment to its reported call for cease-fire by helping in the capture of the so-called lost commands who attacked civilian communities in North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte,” Cayetano stressed in reaction to reports that MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ibrahim has appealed for a stop in hostilities between government forces and Moro rebels.

                “Military pursuit operations must continue until the perpetrators are brought to justice. The MILF leadership must refuse them refuge and help in their capture and surrender to authorities.”

                The lady senator also reiterated her call for priority attention to be given to women and children caught in the armed conflict.

                “Women and children are always the most vulnerable sectors in armed conflict situations. The government should make sure they are given priority attention in evacuation, relief and rehabilitation efforts.”

                “But the government itself cannot entirely deny responsibility for the precarious situation in the south. Remember it was the aborted unconstitutional memorandum of agreement, which the Arroyo government secretly negotiated and tried to sign with the MILF, which triggered conflicts to erupt in various parts of Mindanao.”

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PNP files 61 cases vs MILF leaders

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