Philippines MILF vows to stop ‘kidnap-for-ransom’ operations

Authorities accuse rebels of raising funds for purchase of weapons or finance secessionist

ZAMBOANGA CITY: The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has ordered its 12,000-strong mujahideens (soldiers) to put a stop to kidnapping-for-ransom activities in Mindanao. It also ordered rebel forces to arrest and take drastic actions against kidnappers in areas where the MILF operates. It was the second time in seven years that MILF has given such order.

Police and military authorities have accused rogue MILF members of either coddling kidnappers or getting involved themselves in nefarious activities in Mindanao to raise money to buy weapons or finance their secessionist campaign. Authorities said Moro rebels were behind the kidnappings of wealthy traders, including an Italian priest.

And in 2004, the MILF forged an agreement with Manila that paved the way for rebel forces through the ad-hoc joint action group to help government hunt down terrorists and criminal elements in areas where the rebel group is actively operating.
But peace talks collapsed in August last year after the MILF accused Arroyo of reneging on a preliminary Muslim homeland deal. The Supreme Court said the agreement that was initially signed in Malaysia in July 2008 is unconstitutional.

Since then, fighting between military and rebel forces continue. The MILF said it would not resume peace talks unless Arroyo honors the ancestral domain deal. Arroyo is to step down next year without any significant deal with the MILF.