AFP: No need to check loyalty of ex-MNLF men

MANILA, Philippines - The military does not see the need to conduct loyalty checks on former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members who have been integrated with state forces.

Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Domingo Tutaan Jr. said the former MNLF members have been fighting alongside other soldiers for a long time.

“We believe in them. These are the forces that were integrated to the armed forces and we’ve been working with them,” Tutaan said in a press briefing.

Tutaan confirmed that some of the soldiers deployed to address the Zamboanga crisis used to belong to the MNLF.

He said one of the soldiers who died in a recent encounter in Zamboanga City is a former member of the rebel group.

Pfc. Julmain Abdulahid was killed in a clash with MNLF Misuari faction forces in Barangay Sta. Barbara, Zamboanga City last Wednesday.

Abdulahid was integrated to the military in 1998 as a result of the 1996 final peace agreement between the government and the MNLF.

Meanwhile, the military said it is bothered by the joining of forces by the Abu Sayyaf, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the MNLF-Misuari faction.

“It is bothersome definitely because we have to look at it, what, why or how were they able to do this and what are the specific purpose or intentions that they have,” Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Domingo Tutaan Jr. said in a press briefing.

Tutaan, however, insisted that the security forces have managed to contain the violence in Zamboanga.

“We are still preparing for any eventuality,” he said.

Armed men believed to be members of the Abu Sayyaf, MNLF-Misuari faction and BIFF clashed with soldiers in Lamitan City, Basilan last Thursday in an apparent attempt to divert military attention in Zamboanga.

No US involvement

Meanwhile, US troops in Zamboanga would not be involved in the Zamboanga crisis.

Tutaan noted that the constitution bars American forces from participating in their combat operations.

“They are not allowed to be part of this. This is an internal matter,” he said.

The Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines has been in the Philippines since 2002 and is based in Zamboanga City. The unit conducts training and development programs but is not allowed to engage in actual combat.