MILF: Ampatuan men not joining rebel ranks

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front denied reported claims that civilian volunteer organizations allied with the Ampatuan clan in Maguindanao are joining its ranks. MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said reports that some 400 CVOs linked to the November 23 massacre in Ampatuan town have joined the MILF's 106th Base Command may even be meant to disrupt ongoing peace efforts. "It is not very easy to join the MILF for there are stiff policy and procedures that must be followed and it would not be that easy and even possible for the CVOs to be allowed to join the MILF," Kabalu said in an article on the MILF website. He said the claims may have been made to disrupt what he called the "smooth sailing" of the formal negotiations between the government and MILF. Kabalu added there is an existing order from Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) chief of staff Sammy Al Mansoor not to provide sanctuary to the CVOs of the Ampatuans. Known enemies There is no love lost between the Ampatuan clan and the MILF forces. There have been instances that ambuscades against the Ampatuans were blamed on the rebel group. On the day the prime suspect in the Maguindanao massacre - Datu Unsay Andal Ampatuan Jr. - was arrested and brought to Manila, he pointed to the MILF as the ones allegedly responsible for the mass killings. The MILF has denied Andal Jr's claim. On Monday, military information chief Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. said MILF leaders should control their commanders and sub-commanders, and "not tolerate these kinds of alliances because we all know that these CVOs are facing criminal charges, some of them have been involved in the massacre, there are warrants for their arrest." "We are appealing to the MILF not to coddle criminals such as the CVOs," Brawner was reported to have said. Maguindanao, Cotabato City and Sultan Kudarat remain under a state of emergency. But Kabalu maintained that the MILF will not commit and do anything that will only jeopardize the peace talks, ceasefire and the government suspension of military offensives (SOMO) and the MILF suspension of military actions (SOMA). "The MILF is fully committed to the mutual efforts to preserve the gains achieved in the GRP – MILF peace process," he said. No permanent positions However, Kabalu did not dismiss the possibility that the elements of CVOs could have passed by MILF areas and communities as they are very mobile and do not maintain permanent positions. Still, he said this does not mean that they are already members of the MILF. Kabalu said the government and MILF Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) have maintained good communication, coordination and cooperation in tracking down those involved the gruesome Nov. 23 massacre. "Now if the government police and military units will conduct operations against the CVOs then the MILF is ready to coordinate efforts and cooperate as appropriate," Kabalu said. - RSJ/LBG, GMANews.TV