AFP files protest against MILF's illegal 'recruitment'

MANILA, Philippines - The military has filed a protest against the alleged recruitment activities of a Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) unit in Iligan City.

The protest, which stemmed from the complaints of residents of Barangay Robongon, was forwarded by the 2nd Mechanized Brigade to the ceasefire panel.

“The recruitment, training and expansion of area are prohibited by the peace talks signed by the GPH (government of the Philippines) and the MILF,” Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said in a press briefing on Friday.

The MILF’s 103rd Border Command was accused of violating the ceasefire for allegedly recruiting 175 Higaonons and Maranaos since May last year.

Higaonon chieftain Deodato Abugan Sr. filed the complaint to the Iligan City council, which then endorsed it to the military.

The complaint recommended the dismantling of the 103rd Border Command’s training camp in the area.

Complainants said the MILF’s 305th Guerilla Unit had promised five hectares of land to each recruit once the Bangsamoro Basic Law is passed. Recruits were reportedly asked to pay P800 before they can undergo trainings with the MILF unit.

Cabunoc said the guerilla unit appear to be promising recruits land that actually belongs to them.

“The land is part of the ancestral domain of the Higaonon tribe. The law protects their rights over the land,” Cabunoc said in Filipino.

“If you promise that land to another tribe, it will cause a conflict,” he added.

Cabunoc said the ceasefire panel would determine if the group, which is being led by a certain Abdul Sango Amoran, is really connected with the MILF.

The government and MILF ceasefire panels will conduct “verification missions” to look into the complaint.