‘Ilaga’ vigilantes resurface, warn MILF

SOMEWHERE IN NORTH COTABATO, Philippines -- The “Ilaga” (Visayan for “rat”), a mainly Christian vigilante group that gained notoriety in Mindanao in the 1970s, has resurfaced in this province, warning the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to stop attacking civilians or face dire consequences.

“If the fighting will continue, for every civilian killed, we will execute 10 Moro rebels,” Mike Santiago, spokesperson of the group, which now calls itself the Reform Ilaga Movement, told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday.

The Ilaga, who were tapped to battle the Moro National Liberation Front, were accused of atrocities against Muslim communities, the bloodiest of which was in June 1971, when 65 men, women and children were massacred in a mosque in Barangay (village) Manili in Carmen, North Cotabato.

It soon found itself pitted against groups that Muslims had formed, such as the Blackshirts and Barracudas.

In the present conflict, Santiago, who is in his mid-60s, claimed the Ilaga would defend the rights not only of Christians and “lumad” (indigenous people), but also of Muslims displaced by MILF attacks in Central Mindanao.

“The civilians are suffering now. That’s why we are asking the leadership of the MILF to stop its harassment and attacks in Mindanao because it will only complicate the life of the people,” he said.

Santiago claimed that his group had at least 10,000 armed members and 10,000 more supporters. At the press conference, the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net) counted some 300 armed men present.

“Mindanao is not only for the Muslims but for Christians and lumad as well because we are the ones that form the Tri-people group, the owner[s] of Mindanao,” the Ilaga leader said.

Citing the ongoing hostilities in Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte, Santiago accused the MILF of bringing the fighting even to Muslim communities.

“We need to unite…Muslims, Christians and lumad. And my message to the Muslim civilians [is], don’t admire what the MILF group is doing because it will only destroy the development in the region,” he said. “We must shun the leadership of the MILF. They are the ones that destroy our life. Look at what is happening around you. Many civilians have been affected.”

Santiago supported plans to arm civilians to defend themselves against the MILF.

"We are for arming civilians in areas targeted by MILF for them to defend their families and properties," he said.

Earlier, Philippine National Police Director General Avelino Razon Jr. said they would distribute at least 1,000 shotguns to police auxiliaries in Mindanao and, if the project succeeds, would order 12,000 more of the firearms.

Santiago said unlike other groups, the Reform Ilaga Movement recognizes the Philippine Constitution.

"To our followers, don't be afraid. I am asking those who will join in the future to strictly follow our Constitution," Santiago said.

Some of the Ilaga fighters wore amulets.

"Those amulets of my men came from their elders during the time of Commander Toothpick,” Santiago explained, referring to an Ilaga leader in the early 1970s.

“Our instruction to them is not to go to battle if they have done something wrong against other people; to follow God's commandments to avoid accidents that may lead to their deaths," he said.

Santiago said his group had no plan of running after MILF commanders Ameril Ombra Kato or Abdulla Macapaar alias Bravo, who have been blamed for triggering the recent violence in Mindanao.

"We will let the authorities hunt them. With the bounty for their arrest, their followers will hand them to the authorities," Santiago said. The government has placed a bounty of P5 million each on Kato and Bravo.

"We gave a one week warning against Kato and Bravo before to stop launching attacks. We are happy that they listened to us. But if they launch attacks again, we will fight," Santiago said.

Most of the Reform Ilaga Movement members are farmers from various places in Central Mindanao, Santiago claimed.

"After the fighting broke out, they approached us and asked if we can help," Santiago said.

"Our warfare style is not offensive but defensive. I think the situation will not get worse. But if the MILF will launch other attacks, we are ready to fight," he added.

Earlier, MILF vice chair for political affairs Ghazali Jaafar said they were concerned about the resurgence of vigilante groups that, he stressed, would not contribute to the attainment of genuine peace in Mindanao.(Jeoffrey Maitem; INQ.net)