Sunday, October 12, 2008 Kato's group aims to replace MILF chair
THE group of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) commander Ameril Umbra Kato is allegedly planning to unseat MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim for his indecisiveness in launching an all-out war against the government.
Major Medel Aguilar, 5th Civil Relations Group commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said subordinate commanders loyal to Kato want their commander to replace Murad as MILF chair.
"According to the source who identified himself as Kato's filed commander, the discontent and grumbling of Kato's forces aroused from perceived indecisiveness of the incumbent chairman to launch all-out offensive following Kato's declaration of war against the government. Same source also believed that Kato will eventually succeed Murad once the latter is replaced or incapacitated," Aguilar said.
It was learned that Kato's ulterior motive is now driving a wedge among MILF base commanders. MILF commanders Abas and Bukol of the 108th and 109th base commands have reportedly directed their forces to prevent the forces of Kato from entering their respective communities.
Aguilar said the current internal conflict in the MILF is now posing a big problem to the MILF central committee and has affected the MILF leadership.
"The MILF leadership is in a very precarious situation right now. They want peace talk to resume but Kato and Bravo threatened to launch more hostilities. They do not know how to come out of their situation now clean and intact. Bravo and Kato are too heavy to carry but also a force to reckon with as far as the MILF organization is concerned. This situation makes it impossible for the resumption of peace talk," said Aguilar.
He added that the MILF leadership could do nothing to control the action of the two commanders. (BOT)
