Monday, September 08, 2008 Wounded MILF rebels may hide in S. Mindanao: Army
MORO Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels wounded in the Central Mindanao and Lanao offensives may be hiding in the Davao Region.
Army's 10th Infantry Division chief Jogy Leo Fojas said it is highly possible that MILF rebels escaping the heat of military offensives in North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani are hiding in the region considering that there are two established MILF camps in Davao.
Fojas vowed though that the authorities will still run after the MILF rebels, regardless of where they try to hide.
He warned that MILF rebels who come to the aid of those declared as "lawless MILF groups (LMG)" will also be hunted down by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
AFP's Eastern Mindanao Command spokesman, Major Armand Rico, admitted that they have been receiving reports that some MILF rebels wounded in Central Mindanao are being transported to MILF camps in the Davao region for safekeeping.
Asked if MILF commander Ameril Umbra Kato is one of those wounded and transported to the Davao region, Rico said they do not believe so.
Kato was reportedly wounded in an encounter with the Army in Maguindanao several weeks ago.
AFP vice chief of staff Lieutenant General Cardoso Luna earlier said that they are also monitoring several MILF camps in Mindanao for possible efforts to help their comrades in Central Mindanao and Lanao.
However, Luna said the MILF camps in the Davao region are known to be "dormant".
AFP chief of staff General Alexander Yano warned other MILF base commanders not to aid MILF commander Kato, Abdullah Macapaar alias Kumander Bravo, and Soliaman Pangalian, adding that if other MILF commanders do so, the AFP will no longer be able to distinguish one LMG from other MILF rebels. (BOT)
