MILF protests killing of 9 in drug sweep

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao: The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) protested the killing of nine people, including a high-value target, who were members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), during an anti- drug operation in Matalam, North Cotabato on Friday.

Butch Malang, head of the MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) wrote a letter to Mohagher Iqbal, chairman of the MILF Peace Implementing Panel saying that aside from those killed, three others including a woman were wounded.

Malang said the BIAF members who aWre under the 105th Base Command of the MILF, introduced themselves and “surrendered before the operatives during the raid.” The raiding forces confiscated their firearms.

“After the BIAF troops were disarmed, operatives deliberately shot them,” Malang said.

Those killed were Dadting Hassan, Muhamidin Hassan, Konne Hassan, Burrah Salping, Muhalidin Salping, Tiyo Mantik, Orom Mantis, Deng Malungon and a certain Abu.

Malang added that no shabu was found during the raid contrary to the police report.

Joint police and anti- narcotics agents were about to serve search warrants against drug suspects Hassan and Bai Intan Aban in Sitio Biao, Barangay Kilada in Matalam when they were met with a volley of gunfire from the suspects triggering a firefight, the police said.

Von Al- Haq, BIAF spokesman, said they will file a “strong protest” with their CCCH counterpart of the Philippine government as he belied the published police reports that the BIAF troops engaged the raiding team in a heavy firefight.

“They were shot after they were disarmed when they could no longer defend themselves. They were massacred,” Al- Haq said.

Operatives recovered two Barret rifles, two M14 rifles, one Garand rifle, one rocket propelled grenade (RPG) launcher, two caliber .45 pistols and two single-shot hand guns.

Malang said the incident “constituted severe human rights violation as well as a violation of the provisions of the Implementing Operational Guidelines of the Government of the Philippines and MILF Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities.