MILF to rein in forces in Maguindanao towns

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao — Threatened by more pre-emptive military strikes, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) promised to convince its forces here and in surrounding towns to stop collecting "revolutionary taxes" and roaming around in populated areas.

The MILF also vowed to restrain its units from attacking rival groups which often displaces many civilians.

The three issues were unexpectedly raised by an irate Maguindanao Gov. Datu Andal Ampatuan during a dialogue yesterday with Benjie Midtimbang, chairman of the MILF ceasefire committee, and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles.

Midtimbang assured Ampatuan and Deles that the MILF ceasefire committee will immediately direct their fighters here and in nearby towns to adhere to the three proposals of Ampatuan to defuse tension in areas where military and rebel forces continue to face a standoff.

Midtimbang said he will personally tell the MILF forces to stop roaming around brandishing their firearms, collecting excessive zakat (alms) from villagers and using firepower in seeking redress.

"Our central committee does not tolerate these acts. I will personally tell them to refrain from doing these things. If, in the end, they will not abide, I will again meet with Gov. Ampatuan to tell him that I failed and it’s up to him to address these concerns according to his mandate as governor," he said.

Ampatuan, known for his iron-fisted policy in dealing with separatist rebels, said the government and MILF peace negotiators must focus on what he described as the "hardheadedness" of many rebel commanders in his bailiwicks.

Ampatuan said the "misbehavior and arrogance" of MILF rebels are the major irritants between military and rebel forces.

He told Midtimbang that while he is convinced that the MILF was behind the Dec. 24, 2002 bombing in Datu Piang town that claimed the lives of his mayor-son, Datu Saudi, and 18 others, he is ready to ignore the incident if the Moro guerrillas here and in adjoining towns will adhere to the ceasefire.

Ampatuan said many MILF commanders have been unduly using their firepower against rival clans in the towns of Datu Piang, Mamasapano, Datu Saudi and Talitay, thus forcing militiamen and soldiers to intervene for the safety of innocent civilians.

Worse, Ampatuan said MILF forces have also been interfering in criminal and civil cases which duly constituted authorities such as local government units, the police and the judiciary, are supposed to handle.

Deles was apparently surprised by how things turned out in the dialogue, where the provincial government repeatedly emphasized its stand on the strict enforcement of the ceasefire.

Even so, Deles said the dialogue was not only an eye-opener for the government and MILF negotiators, but also gave the provincial peace and order council and the joint ceasefire committee a chance to discuss peaceful solutions for security irritants between military and rebel forces.

"We are glad that we discussed (these) issues and reached a consensus to continue addressing (them) through peaceful dialogues," she said.