MILF to decide on fate of renegade leader

Renegade Muslim rebel leader Ameril Kato during a clandestine interview with journalists in Mindanao. (Photo by Romy Elusfa)

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 19, 2011) – The Philippines’ largest Muslim rebel group, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, said it would disown a senior leader who broke away after leading a deadly attack on civilians three years ago in Mindanao.

“The MILF will come out with a decision soon,” Von Al-Haq, a spokesman for the rebel group, told the Mindanao Examiner.

Al-Haq was referring to Ameril Kato, a former rebel leader tagged as behind the series of attacks in Lanao province after the failed signing of a Muslim homeland deal in 2008 between the MILF and the Arroyo government. The Supreme Court said the accord was unconstitutional.

Kato is facing a string of criminal cases following the attacks and is considered one of the country’s most wanted men.

He also criticized MILF chieftain Murad Ebrahim of betraying rebel forces after a secret meeting with President Benigno Aquino in Japan recently. He said Ebrahim should have consulted his leaders before meeting with Aquino.

Manila is currently negotiating peace with the MILF in an effort to end decades of bloody war in Mindanao.

“Murad corrupted the rights of the Bangsamoro people,” Kato said in a clandestine interview with journalists at a rebel base in Mindanao.

Kato has repeatedly said that the MILF should pursue independence in Mindanao, home to some four million Muslims in a region of about 18 million mostly Christian inhabitants.

“He is a hardliner and even in the past we had a difficult time in handling Kato,” Al-Haq said.

Kato, who formed his own group called Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, had clashed several times with MILF forces in Mindanao. He said his group has hundreds of armed members, but the MILF claimed Kato has only about 100 men.

Lawyer Mary Ann Arnado, Secretary-General of the nongovernmental organization Mindanao Peoples Caucus, said Kato’s statement should give more reason for the Aquino government to hasten the 14-year old peace talks with the MILF.

Kato previously told Arnado’s group that he was “tired with the never-ending negotiations with the government.”

But Arnado said the August 4 meeting between Aquino and Murad in Tokyo has renewed confidence in the peace process. (With a report from Romy Elusfa)