AFP soldiers are accused of trying to sabotage the peace process in Mindanao

By Rexcel Sorza, IOL Correspondent

ILOILO CITY, Philippines, August 15 (IslamOnline.net) - The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) accused the Armed Forces of the Philippines of trying to sabotage the ongoing peace process with the Philippine government through its massive deployment of soldiers in MILF areas and communities purportedly to recapture alleged “terrorist” Fathur Roman Al Ghozi.

MILF spokesperson Eid Kabalu told IslamOnline in a phone interview Thursday, August 14, that the Philippine military is justifying its actions against the MILF with the hunt for Al Ghozi, the alleged bomb expert of Jemaah Islamiyah.

“If you recall, the war in Buliok Complex last February 11 was carried out in the guise of running after Alonto Tahip and his kidnap-for-ransom group. In August last year, they attacked Camp Sultan Gumander in the guise of running after Abu Sayyaf Group leader Isnilon Hapilon.

“Last month they attacked Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat again in the guise of running after [Abu Sayyaf leader] Khadafi Janjalani. These are all justifications. We look at this justification to sabotage the peace process,” Kabalu said in criticizing the military.

The MILF, fighting for an independent Islamic state, and the Philippine government are having preliminary talks for the resumption of the peace negotiations in the next weeks being brokered by the Malaysian government.

Kabalu accused the military officials of going against the peace process because “they want the situation where they enrich themselves to continue.” Several junior military officers, who launched a failed mutiny on July 27, accused their superiors of corruption.

Kabalu also denied allegations by several military officials that they are coddling Al Ghozi. “That’s far from truth. If ever Al Ghozi is in Mindanao or Lanao del Norte maybe somebody up there in the government placed Al Ghozi in the area.” He further stressed that the MILF has a standing order to all its field commanders to turn Al Ghozi over to the government in case they arrest him.

“You must remember Al Ghozi escaped from his prison cell in Camp Crame. You mean the MILF has the capability to have him escape? That’s unacceptable,” he further argued. He also said they are not surprised with the allegation that one of their commanders if keeping Al Ghozi.

Lt. Gen Rodolfo C. Garcia, AFP vice chief of staff and Philippine government’s CCCH chair, said the operations are not intended against the MILF but are meant to recapture Al Ghozi, who escaped from his detention cell at the Philippine National Police headquarters last July 14.

Under the terms of the ceasefire between the MILF and Philippine government, military and police actions shall continue throughout the country, with the Philippine National Police and the AFP coordinating with the MILF in the area in order to prevent confrontational situation.

The GRP also agreed to acknowledge the MILF areas and the defense of its positions, logistics and communication system, and for the safety and security of the civilian populace.

Meanwhile, the MILF said in its website Friday, August 15, that the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities of both parties may convene a special joint meeting to tackle issues incidental to the on going manhunt against al Ghozi.

Quoting a “reliable source from the MILF,” the MILF news release said that it is considering a move for a special meeting of the GRP-MILF CCCH in order address conflicting reports on the pursuit operations being conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) against Al Ghozi in known MILF areas or bases.”

Kabalu told IOL they have already lodged protests in the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities level “because we see this unusual troop movement a violation of an existing ceasefire agreement.”

Kabalu, meanwhile, disclosed that “thousands of families” have been displaced by the ongoing military hunt. He said these families have fled their homes in Lanao del Norte and in Kabuntalan, Maguindanao province.

The massive manhunt for Al Ghozi in Lanao del Norte and now in Maguindanao came after his fellow escapee, Abu Sayyaf member Abdulmukim Ong Edris, was arrested along with alleged MILF member Mahmud Ismael last August 7 near the town of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte province.

Edris and Ismael were shot dead after about four hours in military custody when they allegedly tried to grab firearms from soldiers who were escorting them to an area where Al Ghozi was supposedly hiding.

The Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development in Lanao del Norte province, through Loida Calib, reported that there were about 107 displaced families in Sultan Naga Dimaporo town due to the hunt for Al Ghozi.

Mayor Bai Susan Samad of Sultan Naga Dimaporo has already complained that the military has not coordinated their operation with her office. SUNSTAR news quoted Samad as saying that she assured the military officials that al-Ghozi is not seeking refuge in her town.

Samad said some villagers in her town panicked while others complained saying they might get hit by the crossfire despite assurances from the military they won't be affected by the manhunt.

She has urged the residents to immediately report to authorities any information that might lead to the location of the Indonesian bomb expert.

The massive manhunt against Al Ghozi in Lanao del Norte and now in Maguindanao came after his fellow escapee, Abu Sayyaf member Abdulmukim Ong Edris, was arrested along with alleged MILF member Mahmud Ismael last August 7 near the town of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte province.

Edris and Ismael were shot dead after about four hours in military custody when they allegedly tried to grab firearms from soldiers who were escorting them to an area where Al Ghozi was supposedly hiding.