MILF hits at AFP 'excuses' for attacking Lanao lairs

COTABATO CITY - The Moro Islamic Liberation Front accused yesterday the Armed Forces of using the manhunt against bombing suspects as pretext to launch massive offensives on its territories in at least four neighboring towns in Lanao del Norte.

At the same time, the MILF, through its information officer, Muhaquer Icbal, aired apprehension that the abduction the other day of a teacher, Cecille Fermase in nearby Kabuntalan, Maguindanao, could "give the military leeway to launch more attacks on rebel enclaves in the guise of running after the victim's captors."

"That has always been the case. The MILF is always the 'whipping boy' for all of the failures of the police to address heinous crimes perpetrated by lawless elements," Icbal said.

The trouble in Lanao del Norte was reportedly precipitated by the MILF's harassment Thursday of an Army detachment in a remote district in Kauswagan town, triggering fierce gunbattles.

Maj. Johnny Macanas, spokesman of the Army's 4th Infantry Division, said the rebels also simultaneously raided five other Army detachments in the nearby towns of Bacolod, Linamon and Baloi, pounding them with B-40 rockets , shoulder-fired M-79 grenades and machineguns.

"There was an apparent plan to really create trouble in these areas," Macanas said. "These attacks were staged while our soldiers were strictly observing the ceasefire."

Icbal said the fighting in Lanao del Norte started when soldiers "intruded" into MILF territories in Kauswagan without prior coordination.

"Our fighters merely defended their camps from the attackers," Icbal said.

Army Maj. Julieto Ando, civil-relations chief of the 6th Infantry Division, said their lower units in Central Mindanao have been placed under full alert following the MILF's recent attacks on military positions in Lanao del Norte, which is under the jurisdiction of the 4th ID.

"We will not take any chances. Although we are tightly monitoring our areas, our soldiers would not launch any offensive against the MILF. They will remain in their defensive posture," Ando told The STAR.

Meantime, the abductors of Fermase, a teacher on the Kabuntalan Central Elementary School have asked a P300,000-ransom for her release, police investigators said.

Sources from the intelligence community said the abductors of Fermase were followers of dreaded kidnap gang leader Commander Mayangkang Saguile, who carried a P500,000 reward for his capture.

Ando said they have been receiving persistent feedback that Saguile, a disgruntled member of the MILF, and his followers have long been using duly acknowledged rebel enclaves as their sanctuaries, preventing lawmen from running after them.