DILG probes 40 local execs in Basilan, Sulu for coddling Abu Sayyaf

At least 40 local government officials in Basilan and Sulu provinces in Mindanao are now under investigation for allegedly conniving with criminal groups, including the al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf bandit group. “Let’s be very, very specific, there is really a problem, in Basilan in particular, because we are not sure of the loyalties of some officials," said Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo at a press briefing Tuesday. “There is something that we need to resolve, there is something that we need to address because there are local officials who are either coerced, who are cooperating with them (criminal groups) or probably sympathetic with them," he added. Robredo said among those being investigated are town mayors, barangay captains, and barangay councilors. “We have a list that we need to verify and this covers not only Basilan, this even covers Sulu," he said as he noted that criminal groups thrive, operate and even encamp in areas where they have the support of local officials. Robredo said those who will be found guilty of extending cooperation or protecting criminal elements will be sacked from their posts. “They must be charged administratively and criminally for them to be removed from their posts." He said the investigation started even before the October 18 clash between government troops and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels in Al-Barka, Basilan, that left 19 soldiers dead. The MILF admitted to attacking the soldiers who it said were encroaching on their area of temporary stay (ATS), a place designated by the government and the MILF where the rebels can stay to prevent encounters with troops pursuing criminal elements. Malacañang, meanwhile, reminded the MILF that providing safe haven to lawless elements is under their ceasefire agreement. At a press briefing on Tuesday, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte expressed confidence that MILF is aware of such provision. “From what I understand, prohibited po under the ceasefire agreement ‘yung pagbigay ng safe heaven — na pagkubli sa mga lawless elements, someone who is considered as lawless, as part of the lawless elements," she said. — with Amita O. Legaspi/KBK, GMA News