MILF denies any role in Basilan jailbreak

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) vehemently denied Monday any involvement in Sunday's predawn jailbreak in the southern province of Basilan that killed two people and led to the escape of 31 inmates. MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said it was “unfortunate" that the MILF was dragged into the incident, even as he insisted only one of the 31 escapees was identified with the rebel organization. "Hindi tama ang insinuation na MILF [ang] may pakana ng pagtakas. Of the 31 na nakapuga, isa lang ang MILF (It is not right to insinuate the MILF had a hand in the jailbreak. Of the 31 inmates who escaped, only one is linked to the MILF)," Kabalu said in an interview on dzXL radio. He said the rest of those who escaped are Abu Sayyaf members or "common criminals." Kabalu also belied claims linking the escaped MILF inmates to the beheading of Marines in 2007. "Walang kinalaman ang MILF sa pamumugot ng ulo (The MILF has nothing to do with the beheading)." Jailbreak no bearing on peace talks In Malacañang, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said that based on initial findings, the incident will not affect government talks with MILF. Only last week, the government and the MILF resumed formal peace talks in Malaysia. [See: RP, MILF aim to ink truce early next year] "So far we do not believe it will affect the peace process right now," Remonde said in an interview on dwIZ radio. Remonde noted that the jail warden is now facing a grilling over his culpability in the incident. “Isa nga yan sa iniimbestigahan natin (A focus of the investigation is) whether the warden acted appropriately...," he said. Manhunt for escapees Meanwhile, a manhunt is on for the 31 escapees, 11 of whom are considered "high-risk" inmates. Authorities maintained the MILF and the Abu Sayyaf both had a hand in the jailbreak. "Definitely mga MILF at ASG ang sumalakay (We are certain the MILF and Abu Sayyaf were behind the jailbreak)," Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) police chief Senior Superintendent Bienvenido Latag said in an earlier interview on dzBB radio. “Nakataas ang alerto doon at buong PNP kasama ang Marines (The alert level in Basilan for the PNP and Marines had been raised)," he added. Latag said that of the "high-risk" inmates, three are members of the MILF while eight belong to the Abu Sayyaf. The rest are “common criminals." Citing reports reaching him, he said the criminal records of the 31 include multiple murder, frustrated murder, kidnapping, and serious illegal detention. He said those behind the jailbreak probably were elements of MILF’s 114th base command, adding that a manhunt is ongoing but none has been recaptured so far. "A combined Marines, Army and police forces are conducting a manhunt around the area. During the attack, one of the raiders was killed as well as one of the jail guards. Some were wounded," he said. - LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV