Panel finds no MILF-Abu Sayyaf link in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The joint committee overseeing the ceasefire between the military and Moro rebels Thursday said there was no evidence to link the rebels with the Abu Sayyaf and other kidnap-for-ransom groups in Basilan province. "For now we cannot confirm the linkages. We don’t have concrete evidence about the reported merger between some members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the bandits," Brig. Gen. Reynaldo D. Sealana, co-chairman of the joint Coordinating Committee for the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), told BusinessWorld. The statement was in reaction to military chief Gen. Alexander B. Yano’s claim of possible ties between Moro rebels and kidnap groups following a recent firefight in Basilan. Mr. Sealana said the CCCH is still gathering information on what transpired Sunday, which was described as the "bloodiest" clash in the town of Al-Barka that left five soldiers dead and 24 others wounded, while the MILF had three casualties, including Sattar Alih, deputy commander of the rebels’ 101st Base Camp. With the MILF commander’s death, Lt. Esteffani A. Cacho, Western Mindanao Command spokesman, questioned the presence of MILF fighters with the bandits. The military was ordered to go against the Abu Sayyaf and kidnap groups following a string of abductions in Basilan and this city. Commodore Alexander Pama, Navy regional chief, earlier said some MILF members have blood ties with the bandits. The CCCH said based on initial investigation, the MILF fighters first attacked the pursuing military troops. "The location of the fire fight is in the periphery of the MILF camps. It happened that the Abu Sayyaf and the kidnap groups ran towards that area," Mr. Sealana said. He said his MILF counterpart vowed to flush out bandits in rebel-controlled areas. While the MILF central committee said it will not get back at the military for the death of Alih, the military claimed rebels begun attacking military camps in Al-Barka on Wednesday. "Marines and CAFGU (Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit) in Al-Barka near Bohe Lebung were attacked by MILF in black uniforms. The attackers were immediately repulsed," said Ms. Cacho said. She said there was no casualty on the military side "but there were enemy casualties as observed by engaged troops." The MILF denied the participation of rebels in the attack, adding the MILF central committee has ordered all fighters in Basilan to be on the defensive position and only retaliate when attacked. — Darwin T. Wee, BusinessWorld