MILF leaders, suspects deny charges

COTABATO CITY - "Preposterous and whimsical."

This was how the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leadership branded yesterday the police's plan to press criminal charges against two of its leaders in connection with the recent bomb attacks in Metro Manila.

Both the MILF leadership and the suspects presented to the media yesterday by the Philippine National Police denied involvement in the terrorist attacks.

MILF chairman Hashim Salamat and vice chairman for military affairs Al-Haj Murad face possible criminal charges following the arrest of 25 alleged MILF members in connection with the bombings.

"We have long been anticipating that frenzy. Scenarios can easily be painted just to put the MILF down. The government has done that to leaders of the National Democratic Front. They can also do that to us," Murad told The STAR.

Salamat, in a press statement, was quoted by his information staff as saying that he is prepared for all the government's maneuverings for him to soften his stance on the creation of an Islamic state in the South.

"That strategy is absurd, whimsical and preposterous," said Muhaquer Iqbal, chairman of the MILF's information committee.

Murad, who is also the chief of the MILF's fighting arm, the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, said their men have not been involved in the bombings in Metro Manila and elsewhere.

"Especially in those bombings perpetrated in populated areas. We have never targeted any civilian area in our counter-offensives," Murad said.

Murad said the plan of the Philippine National Police to file charges against him and Salamat for the spate of bombings that have recently rocked the country can only complicate the peace process.

Formal talks between the MILF and the government are set to resume here Tuesday, after nearly a month of fierce clashes between the military and the rebels in many parts of Central Mindanao.

MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said it would be easy for the government to create "rosy scenarios" of their leaders' direct involvement in different atrocities just to outlaw them.

"But no matter what the government will do, the willingness of the MILF to pursue the peace talks stands. We shall do everything for the talks to really succeed and be put back on the right track," Kabalu said.