SPEAKER Prospero Nograles urged legislators from Mindanao to use their pork barrel to provide relief for the thousands of families who have been displaced by the atrocities of the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

At the same time, Nograles tasked Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP)-United Opposition Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro to personally assess the situation on the ground and find out the extent of relief efforts that is needed to help the refugees.

“If we can raise P100,000 as contribution from each Mindanao congressman, I think it will go a long way to help the refugees,” Nograles said. There are at least 59 congressmen from Mindanao.

Relatedly, Nograles said that the MILF leadership should show a sign of good faith by arresting the leaders of the MILF elements that attacked Lanao del Norte and surrender them to government authorities.

Nograles said that while the MILF hierarchy is denying any responsibility in atrocities committed by their members in several Lanao del Norte towns, the only way to prove this is for them to also run after their rogue comrades.

“If it is true that the MILF leadership did not issue the order to attack, the MILF elements who pillaged some villages in Lanao del Norte, should be pursued by the MILF in coordination with government security forces. The front should not allow its rogue members to destroy the gains in the peace process,” he said.

PMP Rep. Didagen Dilangalen of Shariff Kabunsuan supported Nograles’s call, saying the peace process should continue but with accountability.

“It is high time that the peace negotiations should be approached in a very objective and comprehensive manner and give the government panel all the chances to negotiate with the MILF. It’s important that we continue with the peace process but it should be with accountability. If we stop with the peace process, it will only aggravate the situation. Whoever is responsible for the atrocities, they should be held accountable and whoever is in the way of the peace process must be held accountable also if the negotiation will fail,” Dilangalen said.

Lakas Rep. Abdullah Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte said the peace process must go on, “but we must seek redress and file criminal cases against those involved in the atrocities.” 

Deputy Speaker for Mindanao Simeon Datumanong said that what the MILF did was rebellion, not even a political crime but an ordinary crime.

“With these highly condemnable acts, they should face the full force of the law.  While peace talks must proceed, let’s also ensure that perpetrators are punished,” he said.

Nograles said that in claiming that the MILF leadership did not issue any order to attack, this is also an admission that they are not in control over its field commanders. It also shows that the MILF has a serious leadership problem.

“I’m beginning to doubt if we are conducting peace talks with the right people. This defiance to the directives of their hierarchy is a sign that those who are behind the attacks have gone rogue and are no longer part of the MILF’s chain of command. It shows sign of weak leadership if the MILF leaders cannot act to discipline their own members,” he added.

MILF rebels kidnap priests

SEPARATIST rebels who are rampaging in Mindanao kidnapped six priests in Lanao del Norte on Monday, the local bishop reported.

P5-million bounty each for MILF ‘rogue commanders’

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.

Use pork to help evacuees, solons told

SPEAKER Prospero Nograles urged legislators from Mindanao to use their pork barrel to provide relief for the thousands of families who have been displaced by the atrocities of the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

MILF to punish Lanao del Norte attackers

ZAMBOANGA CITY—The leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has vowed to impose punishment against its MILF field commander and followers involved in the Monday attack in Lanao del Norte.

Senators slam MILF terror acts in Mindanao

ADMINISTRATION and opposition senators firmed up a bipartisan stand advising the Arroyo administration against resuming peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) until its renegade commanders have been made to account for the mayhem in Iligan City, Kolambugan and Kauswagan towns in Lanao del Norte and Maasim in Sarangani, as well as earlier attacks in Aleosan, Pikit and Midsayap towns in North Cotabato.

Agri officials hit for dropping RP claim over Spratlys in pending baselines bill

MILITANT fishermen on Tuesday assailed agriculture officials led by Secretary Arthur Yap and Director Malcolm Sarmiento of the the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) for allegedly pressuring lawmakers to drop the country’s claim over the Spratlys in the pending baselines bill.

House probe on RP-China deals sought

CLAIMING that the various lease and agribusiness agreements entered into by the government with Beijing lacks transparency and reciprocity, militant legislators pressed the House of Representatives to investigate the deals for possible legal and constitutional infirmities.