MILF leadership washes hands off attacks

MANILA, Philippines - The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Monday washed its hands off the attacks conducted by its forces in Lanao del Norte and Sarangani provinces. MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar said they are still "verifying" whether the forces involved in the incidents are indeed from their ranks. "As far as the leadership of the MILF is concerned, walang utos ang leadership (the MILF leadership has given no order to attack)," Jaafar said in an interview on dzRH radio. He said the MILF has been conducting peace talks with the Arroyo administration, which he said had shown its "sincerity" so far. Jaafar said they are still "verifying" reports that the MILF tried to enter Sarangani province at 2:30 a.m. Monday. But he confirmed the forces that were involved in attacks in Lanao del Norte were identified with the MILF's Commander Bravo. "Gusto namin alamin ang puno't dulo nito (We want to get to the bottom of this)," he said. Jaafar said there will be "disciplinary action" for MILF forces involved in the violence, but said it was "unfair" for the MILF leadership to be blamed for the violence at this time. In a separate interview on dzXL radio, MILF chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said it is "possible" some of the attackers were from the MILF but he refused to give "speculative statements." For his part, military North Cotabato command center officer-in-charge Brig. Gen. Jorge Segovia said the soldiers will fight back. "We will not let our soldiers die. Di namin pagagawing shooting gallery ang mga tao namin (We will not let our soldiers die. We will not be a shooting gallery for the MILF)," he said on dzXL. - GMANews.TV