MILF ‘plot’ to bomb airport bared

Zamboanga City — Military intelligence has uncovered an alleged plot of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to bomb the General Santos City International Airport at any opportune time to pressure President Arroyo on the rebels’ demand for Islamic self-rule in Mindanao.

Military sources also claimed yesterday that the MILF plans to launch ambuscades, kidnappings, and bombings in different schools and universities in Mindanao.

Official sources said the MILF’s first division Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces would carry out the atrocities. They added that a separate seven-man team of the MILF from the Regional Special Operations Group were ordered by Commander Cosain Goso alias Gani Davao to stage bombings.

Three other RSOGs with a foreign-trained bomb expert identified as Omar Abdullah left for Tagum City last month to conduct bombings.

This came as 500 MILF fighters have expressed their intention to lay down their arms in response to the government’s suspension of military operations in the South.

Col. Jogy Leo Fojas, Southern Command chief of staff, said the rebels were displeased that their leaders had deserted them during the hostilities with government forces. He also said that the rebels support the unilateral suspension of military operation by the President.

Meanwhile, two captured MILF rebels were killed by soldiers while allegedly trying to escape the other day in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao.

Lt. Col. Danilo Servando, spokesman of the Southern Command, identified the two as Magdingan Dansalan alias Commander Teng and Ayunan Ambalagan, both suspects in the killing of a certain Lieutenant Cauilan in 1999.