MILF files complaint vs defense chief over 'war posture'

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front lodged a complaint against Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin for allegedly undermining the peace process with statements linking the MILF to a deadly bus bombing last month in Mindanao. In a letter, the MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) scored Gazmin for what it considered as "provocative" statements. "Secretary Gazmin’s statements blatantly violated the provisions on the GRP [Government of the Republic of the Philippines]–MILF Implementing Operational Guidelines of the Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities (AGCH) and the Implementing Guidelines on the Security Aspect of the GRP–MILF Agreement of Peace of 2001," it said in its letter to the government CCCH Friday. Excerpts of the letter were posted Saturday on the MILF website. In its complaint the MILF scored Gazmin for his “willful and deliberate intention to undermine the ceasefire accord just only to discredit the MILF before the public and international community." Gazmin had named the MILF Special Operations Group as one of the suspects behind a deadly bus bombing in Matalam, Cotabato last October 21. At least 10 people were killed and around 30 were wounded in the incident. The MILF's complaint letter also said Gazmin's statement tended to undermine the sincerity or credibility of the other party in implementing the cessation of the hostilities and the peace process. Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) spokesman Von Al Haq added Gazmin's statement was “meant to condition the public that a military action against MILF has basis and justified, and also to discredit the MILF before the international community." “For what reason and evidence does Secretary Gazmin have in accusing the MILF? This is sheer propaganda that can be construed as part of efforts to label the MILF as terrorist organization, that the government is not interested in the peace process already and is poised for a military option," Al Haq said. Al Haq added the MILF has no Special Operations Group (SOG) and those arrested suspects behind the bombing were not members of the MILF. Earlier, MILF deputy spokesman Khaled Musa said the MILF "has no motive to kill civilians and even condemned the bombing as satanic and demonic." The MILF noted four people were arrested in Cotabato City based on the statements of a witness. Two were released and the other two now face charges before the court. — LBG, GMANews.TV