THE Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) protested the arrest of one of its field commanders in Zamboanga International Airport who was supposed to go to Mecca, Saudi Arabia for a pilgrimage.

The MILF identified its arrested commander as Asnawi Addan Salah, a sub-commander of the MILF 114th Base Command. Salah was arrested by the Western Mindanao Police Office and Special Action Force operatives last November 7.

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It was learned that Salah was arrested for his alleged role in the beheading of Marine soldiers in the July 10, 2007 encounter in Basilan where 14 Marines were killed; 10 of whom were beheaded.

The Moro rebel group confirmed the encounter but never admitted beheading the Marines, which they said is an act against Islam, the MILF military code of conduct, and international law, especially the Geneva Conventions.

Salah was among 130 MILF members charged in this killing of 14 Marines.

He was taken to Western Mindanao police headquarters at Camp Abendan for questioning. He is facing nine counts of murder and four counts of frustrated murder in Isabela City. (BOT)