Commanders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are aggressively recruiting members in several provinces in Mindanao in an attempt to bolster their clout once the proposed Bangsamoro region is established, a former soldier turned lawmaker has claimed.
In an interview over dzBB Sunday, Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano said several governors from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have testified in recent congressional hearings that the MILF is conducting recruitment activities in their areas.
Among the provinces where the MILF is recruiting new members according to Alejano are Maguindanao, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga, Sibugay, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi.
Based on reports he gathered from sources on the ground, Alejano said MILF commanders are competing among themselves in building up their forces in anticipation of the positions they will secure in the envisioned Bangsamoro parliamentary government.
“Mas maraming tao, mas maganda. Nagpaparami sila ng kani-kanilang puwersa para maging mas malawak ang kanilang clout in the future,” he said.
Alarming recruitment
The lawmaker, a former Marine captain, said the Moro group is recruiting members under the guise of preparing for the creation of the Bangsamoro police force even though Congress has yet to approve the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). He described the MILF’s recruitment activities as “very alarming.”
“Once na ang BBL ay pumasa, may dahilan na sila (MILF) to conduct training in coordination with the government. But at this point in time, very alarming ang kanilang ginagawang basic military training… sa panahong umiiral ang ceasefire agreement,” Alejano said.
The House of Representatives has suspended deliberations on the proposed BBL pending the results of the investigations on the Mamasapano clash between Special Action Force (SAF) troopers and members of the MILF and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), which left 44 police commandos dead.
The Bangsamoro bill is a product of the comprehensive peace agreement signed by the Philippine government with the MILF last year.
Joint training, operations
Aside from recruiting new members, Alejano said he has received reports that the MILF continues to hold joint training sessions with the BIFF even as the former had already entered into a peace agreement with the national government.
“Ang atin pong report na natatanggap ay meron po silang joint training at meron silang joint operations,” the lawmaker said.
Alejano said there is a possibility the MILF will deny coddling terrorists or BIFF members when the government runs after them.
“Pag ganito ang sitwasyon, puwede lang po nilang i-deny everytime na hindi po kanila [yung umaatake], when in fact nagsasama-sama yung mga pwersa nila (MILF and BIFF) on the ground. Hindi po natin mae-expect na pag tayo po ay may huhulihin sa hanay ng BIFF o ang BIFF ay may kinakanlong ay mahahanap natin ‘yon,” he said.
MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said the group will reap nothing from protecting the two terrorists.
Clear commitment needed
Nevertheless, Alejano urged the government to demand a clear commitment from the MILF that they will cooperate with the government in running after suspected criminals and terrorists–even if the subjects are from the BIFF– especially since he has also received information that the Moro group does not have a very firm grip over its troops on the ground.
“Kasama sa reports na natatanggap ko ay hindi naman nila positibong nako-control ang mga ‘yan (ground commanders). Bagkus, kapag kanilang pupwersahin ang kanilang mga commander ay kinabukasan titiwalag sila sa BIFF. Mayroon silang parang policy ng appeasement sa kanilang mga kumander na pinapangakuan sila at ‘yung kanilang leadership ang nakikipag-usap sa gobyerno,” he said.
