Cops file multiple murder charges vs. MILF leader for killing comrade
Breaking News • 20:28 PM Sat Aug 30, 2014
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By:
Wilnard Bacelonia
COTABATO CITY (Aug.
30/NDBC) – Police have filed multiple murder charges against a commander of the
Moro Islamic Liberation Front's (MILF) National Guard and his followers for the
murder of another MILF commander and his village official-son in Sultan sa
Barongis, Maguindanao last week, officials said today.
MILF National Front
Commander Saya, four of his followers were charged with double murder for the
killing of MILF 106th Base Commander Bato and his son Sadam Kamad,
the barangay chairman of Tugal, according to Senior Inspector Cesar Ibal,
police chief of Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao.
Ibal said
Commander Bato and Chairman Kamad were on board their motorcycle when they were
ambushed by the suspects in a far-flung village of Sultan sa Barongis.
The ambush triggered
a brief firefight between the ambushers and the victims’ followers, Cebal said.
Ibal said police
have been positively identified by about five witnesses who were about three
meters away from the crime scene. Following the
ambush, several hundred families in Sultan sa Barongis have fled their homes
for fear of more skirmishes involving MILF commanders and their followers.
Police were
looking at clan war or rido” (family feud) led to the ambush.
The
residents learned from villagers that reinforcement team for Commander Bato
were sent to avenge his death,” Ibal said.
So if these
two armed groups meet, surely they will trade bullets and civilians fear they
might be caught in the crossfire,” he added.
Ibal said both sides have been locked in a long standing family feud.Von Al Haq,
MILF Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces spokesperson, said a directive has been
sent to the ground commanders not to make any movement and reinforcement on the
warring parties to avoid more tension between the two. Al Haq said an
investigation is going on to determine who was at fault and appropriate action
will be taken by the MILF.
The MILF said
it will leave to its disciplinary board the decision on what sanctions will be
imposed on whoever will be found guilty in the crime.
Due to the
tension, classes in two elementary schools were suspended.
The local
government and the Department of Education then decided to hold classes in
nearby evacuation centers where the residents are temporarily staying. (NDBC)