TO expedite their arrest, the government has placed a P5-million bounty each on the head of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) “rogue commanders” Ameril Umbra Kato and Abdullah Makapaar alias “Bravo”, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno announced on Tuesday.

Puno said in a Palace news briefing that he and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro recommended the reward offer, pooled from their respective reward funds, and this was approved by President Arroyo at the National Security Cluster meeting that day.

“The DILG and the DND jointly posted a reward of P5 million each for information leading to the arrest of Commander Abdullah Makapaar and Commander Ameril Umbra Kato,” Puno said.

He said he and Teodoro decided to offer the reward “to expedite the process of bringing them (Kato and Bravo) to justice.”

He said 60 charges have been filed against Kato in Kidapawan, North Cotabato, while charges against Bravo are being finalized.

National Police Chief Gen. Avelinor Razon Jr. said charges against Kato, whose forces launched attacks in North Cotabato last week, include murder, serious illegal detention and arson; and that investigators are looking into other possible cases to be filed against the MILF commander.

Puno said Bravo is expected to face charges of murder, arson, robbery, serious illegal detention, and “possibly even kidnapping.” Teodoro added that “if evidence warrants, and the proper statute applies, [charges related to] the use of landmines and explosives, the employment of minors in combat” [will also be included.

“For every victim, there will be a separate charge against Kato and Bravo. Every person who is with these two rogue commanders will also be subjected to the same charges,” Puno said.

Puno and Teodoro agreed that there is no need for the government to brand the rogue MILF commanders and their followers as terrorists, as this may only complicate government efforts to prosecute them.

He added: “So at this time, we are not looking at that yet. We are still viewing this as a police operation intended to enforce law and order in the areas that they have ravaged. As far as we are concerned, they are ordinary citizens at this point.”

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TO expedite their arrest, the government has placed a P5-million bounty each on the head of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) “rogue commanders” Ameril Umbra Kato and Abdullah Makapaar alias “Bravo”, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno announced on Tuesday.

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