Monday, October 16, 2006 Army general supports N. Cotabato guv's charge v. MILF
A HIGH-ranking military official supported the accusation of North Cotabato Governor Emmanuel Piñol against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on their involvement on the Makilala blast that killed 6 and wounded 29 others.
Eastern Mindanao Command chief Major General Rodolfo Obaniana said they have all the evidence to link MILF commander Basit Usman to Tuesday's bombing at the Makilala municipal hall.
Obaniana said it is where Piñol based his accusation against the MILF. The general revealed that prior to the triple bombing last week, they had already been monitoring the mobile number of Usman.
He said the same number appeared in the mobile phone that was recovered from an unexploded bomb in Makilala last Wednesday morning. The recovered mobile phone was supposed to be the triggering device that would set off the bomb. But due to some disconnection in the bomb's wiring, it failed to explode.
Obaniana revealed that in the recovered phone, Usman had text messages ordering the bomber to target various areas that are frequented by people.
The MILF however denied that Usman is a member of their organization.
Obaniana said that intelligence report showed though that Usman is the sub-commander of MILF's 105th Base Command in Maguindanao area.
Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz Jr. earlier said he accusations against the MILF were mere "speculation" and warned that accusing the separatist rebels without proof would further imperil peace talks that bogged down last month.
"We have to do our homework, get (witness) testimonies, collect evidence, then analyze these to determine who was behind this terrorist attack," Cruz said.
Piñol blamed the MILF for the attacks, saying the mortar shells used in the blasts were the rebel group's "signature."
Armed Forces chief General Hermogenes Esperon Jr.'s meanwhile said the Al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) could be behind the attacks to
distract the military from pursuit operations against their leaders in Sulu.
Obaniana however said the "word of caution" issued by the defense secretary is understandable considering that they are taking into consideration the ongoing peace negotiations with the Muslim secessionist group.
Obaniana admitted that their hands are tied because of the peace negotiations.
"I believe in Governor Piñol because he is brave enough tell it to the public," Obaniana said.
Piñol said it would be impossible for the JI or the Abu Sayyaf to be conducting their activities in Central Mindanao without the blessing of the MILF field commander in the area.
Obaniana supported this adding that the bombing may have been done without the knowledge or blessing of the MILF central committee but it sure was done with coordination from the MILF field commanders, and in this case it happened to be Basit Usman. (BOT)
