MILF finishes probe on 2 field commanders

COTABATO CITY – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front has completed its investigation on the role of two of its field commanders in the armed skirmishes in Mindanao in August.

Muhammad Ameen, MILF secretariat head, said the MILF investigation on the acts of Commanders Ameril Ombra Kato and Abdulla Macapaar alias “Bravo” had been completed but the MILF would not make it public.

“The investigation reports are classified in nature and for internal use or guide of the MILF in its continuing effort to strengthen or consolidate itself, including the institution of punishment for erring commanders or members,” Ameen said.

MILF chair Ebrahim Murad said in a news conference in September that the MILF field commanders would be punished if found to have violated MILF policies.

“Definitely, sanctions await anybody in the organization who violated our policies, whatever it would be, that is something internal in our organization,” Murad said, adding that the MILF has a justice system where everybody gets justice.

Two probe teams were created by the MILF to investigate the incidents in Lanao del Norte and in Maguindanao and North Cotabato. The two separate findings had been forwarded to the MILF central committee for action.

“It will never be made public,” Murad then said.

Both reports, aside from the narratives of events and interviews with respondents, also contained findings and recommendations, Ameen said.

Col. Julieto Ando, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, said the MILF’s completion of its investigation on its erring field commanders and the decision not to make public its findings have no bearing on the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“That is a whitewash. If there’s investigation, the result should be made public because the field commanders committed sins,” Ando said.

He said the AFP’s mandate is to bring before the bar of justice MILF field commanders who torched houses and killed civilians in North Cotabato.

“Results or no results of MILF probe, the manhunt against Kato and “Bravo” continues until the two commanders and their men are neutralized,” Ando said.(By Edwin Fernandez;INQ.net)