Tuesday, September 02, 2008 Yano, Piñol against 'Ilaga' revival By Bong Garcia
THE government is not allowing any armed group to participate in running after the factions of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels that have attacked and occupied several towns in North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte provinces.
Armed Forces Chief-of-Staff General Alexander Yano said allowing any group like the so-called "Ilaga" will just complicate the situation in North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte provinces.
News about the revival of Ilaga, a vigilante group that helped fight against the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in the 70's, came after the coordinated attacks and eventually occupying by three factions of MILF in the two provinces.
Reports disclosed that the Ilaga members met last week in the hinterlands of North Cotabato province and named the group as "Reformed Ilaga Movement (RIM)."
"In anything that we do, we shall follow the law, so any armed group or unarmed within the ambits of the law is welcome. But definitely if it is out of bounce or it is outside the rule of law, then it is something not to be encouraged," Yano said. "It will only complicate the situation and it will not be to the benefit of the entire Mindanao or areas affected."
He said it is the duty of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) to implement the rule of law being the legitimate armed force mandated to address the threats to peace.
"Anything that is lawless, anything that violates the laws of the land will have to be discouraged," he said in reaction to the reported revival of Ilaga.
Thousands of troops were poured to Mindanao to run after three factions of MILF rebels who launched coordinated attacks last month in North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte provinces.
North Cotabato Vice-Governor Emmanuel Piñol also expressed opposition to the revival of the Ilaga group citing it will worsen the situation in Mindanao.
Piñol said he do not want a situation where armed vigilante group would go on a rampage innocent Muslim civilians.
