|
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
MILF denies using drugs money to fund cause
By Bong Garcia
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- A top leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said the allegation of a US Anti-drug Task Force official in Southeast Asia that they are using drug money in financing their fight is highly unfair and without basis.
MILF Central Committee Secretariat head Muhammad Ameen said drugs, including shabu and other intoxicating chemicals or drugs, are "haram," meaning forbidden, and any Muslim found guilty of using it has committed a sin.
Pinoy Votes: Sun.Star Election 2007 Coverage
In Islam, the violator would receive 40 lashes and in the Day of Judgment punished severely by Allah, according to Ameen.
Ameen issued the statement after Rear Admiral Paul Zukunft, head of the US anti-drug task force in Southeast Asia, said a significant portion of revenues in drug trade was funding activities of communist and Muslim rebels.
He said that the problems brought about by the proliferation of drugs, especially shabu or methampethamine hydrochloride, "to our people particularly the youths are tremendous" and if the manufacture of these drugs is not stopped, many people will become "crazy."
He said drug dependence is a growing problem in many areas of Mindanao, including Armm that includes the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao and Shariff Kabunsuan and Marawi City.
As a matter of fact, the MILF alleged that one high-ranking official of the Armm is a known shabu-user.
Malacañang has ordered an investigation into reports that money from illegal drugs was being used to fund the activities of communists and Moro rebels in the country, according to Palace spokesman Ignacio Bunye.
Zukunft said there were indications that secret laboratories for producing methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) were operating in areas where these rebels have a strong presence.
He alleged that a significant portion of revenues in drug trade was funding rebel activities.
"I believe a closer investigation into these serious allegations is in order and I think the anti-drug enforcement authorities will be coming up with their own inquiries," Bunye said in a statement.
Zukunft recently met with officials of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) as part of training and information exchange programs being funded by the US government. (Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cebu. (March 20, 2007 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Raid on Davao City pier bares child labor