MILF: Don't conclude we beheaded 10 Marines

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chided President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Sunday for insinuating it is behind the beheading of 10 of 14 Marines killed in an encounter in Basilan last Tuesday. MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said it is too early to conclude that the MILF was behind the beheading, adding the MILF is still conducting its own “investigation" into the incident. “It’s too early to conclude na ang MILF ang may kagagawan noon. May patakaran ang MILF di gagawin ang ganyang bagay. Sa history ng MILF ganyang pakikibaka di sila gumagawa noon (It’s too early to conclude the MILF was behind the incident. Never in the MILF’s history has it resorted to beheading and mutilation)," Kabalu said in an interview on dzXL radio. Besides, he said the MILF is still investigating the matter, and is cooperating in a joint investigation with the government and an international monitoring team. Kabalu said it is “possible" and “public knowledge" that “other groups" including the Abu Sayyaf could have been behind the incident. Last Saturday, the bodies of the slain Marines were brought to Metro Manila. President Arroyo said she will not allow the perpetrators to “hide behind the negotiating table." The government and the MILF have engaged in peace efforts since 1997. Kabalu said the investigation should focus on the killing of an imam before Tuesday’s incident. He cited reports that Tuesday’s incident was in retaliation for the imam’s killing. “Di natin sinasabing Marines may kagagawan niyan, baka kaalyado may gawa. Di maalis ang possibility may Abu Sayyaf diyan, sila may record sa pamumugot ng ulo (We are not saying Marines did it. Perhaps their allies did it. On the other hand, we cannot discount the possibility of the Abu Sayyaf mutilating the Marines’ bodies. They have a record of chopping off heads)," he said. Meanwhile, Kabalu said he hopes the reinforcement of soldiers in Basilan will not worsen the already tense situation there. He said the soldiers should follow the ceasefire agreement and make proper coordination with the MILF to prevent further incidents. “Lahat ito mareresolba sa mechanism ng ceasefire agreement. Di ito mangyayari kung sinunod. Ang dumating sana di makapagbigat ng suliranin, bagkus makatulong para sila maging maluwag sa pangyayari sa Basilan (All this could have been resolved with the ceasefire agreement. We just hope the reinforcements will not worsen the situation and will instead help ease the tension in Basilan)," he said. - GMANews.TV