Kato's commander, son nabbed in North Cotabato

A Moro Islamic Liberation Front commander, considered as one of the top lieutenants of Commander Americal Ombra Kato, head of the MILF 105th Base Command was arrested in last Friday’s Army pursuit operation in North Cotabato.

Presently detained at the Aleosan municipal jail pending his transfer to a more secured facility is MILF Commander Rakman Sulaik, Aleosan police chief, Inspector Orlando Panzo said.

The military and the police, meanwhile, have fortified their positions in Aleosan, especially surrounding the municipal jail, following intelligence reports the MILF will rescue Sulaik.

No less than Kato, who has a P10 million bounty over his head, is reportedly mapping out the rescue plan.

Sulaik was cornered along with his son Samsudin by Army troops belonging to the 40th Infantry Battalion while conducting pursuit operations against MILF renegades in Barangay Pagangan, Aleosan town before dawn Friday.

The duo was about to be released after brief questioning by their Army captors when they claimed they were just ordinary peasants at the said place.

But as a matter of procedure before releasing them, the Army troops first checked with the Aleosan police if they have any holdings or records of Sulaik.

“That’s only then that we were able to verify in our records that he is one of MILF commanders under the 105th Base Command with more than 100 pending cases filed in court,” Panzo said, adding that when frisked, a .45 caliber automatic was found in Sulaik’s possession.

Panzo added that Sulaik’s detention is covered by an arrest warrant issued by the court for his key role in the Aug. 15 attack and forced occupation by MILF lawless elements of 15 villages in the towns of Pikit, Aleosan, Midsaysap and Pikigkawayan.

According to Panzo, Sulaik was identified by several witnesses as an MILF commander who executed a 65-year-old woman whom he chased and made to kneel before shooting the old woman in the head in Barangay Dunguan.

On the other hand, Army troops missed Sulaik’s men, who were reported earlier to be massing up for a planned assault in Barangay Pagangan.

“Nagpaiwan siya at ang anak niya para magkunyaring mga magsasaka para makatakas ang mga tauhan niya dala ang kanilang mga baril,” Panzo said.