MILF commander arrested in Cotabato

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Wahid Tundok has several warrants of arrest for multiple murder, robbery and arson, according to the police

GUNS DOWN. This photo taken on Oct 15, 2012 shows members of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) shouting 'Allahu Akbar' (God is Great) during a celebration inside camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat town in Mindanao, to coincide with the signing of the Framework Agreement. Photo by Karlos Manlupig/AFP

MANILA, Philippines (Updated) – A ranking commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was arrested Sunday, February 23, over pending charges of arson and murder – the latest in a number of possible ceasefire violations between the government and the rebel group.

Police nabbed MILF commander Wahid Tundok during a joint check point operation by the police and the military in Cotabato City. 

Described by the military as a “high value target” and a senior MILF member, Tundok has several warrants of arrest for multiple murder, robbery, and arson, a police report said. 

“He was arrested along with his armed followers while onboard a pickup truck at the police-military check point,” said regional police chief Superintendent Jovit Culaway.

The development comes as the rebel group and the government prepares to sign a final peace pact to end 16 years of negotiations that both sides hope would bring lasting peace in Mindanao. 

Culaway said high-powered firearms were confiscated from Tundok, described as a Muslim cleric who heads one of the 12,000-strong MILF’s “base commands” on the volatile southern island of Mindanao.

Formerly the deputy of Ameril Umra Kato – the leader of the MILF breakaway group, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters – Tundok has since become known as Kato’s bitter rival. In 2012, he led a standoff between local MILF forces and the BIFF in Maguindanao. 

Tundok’s arrest is not the first case involving possible ceasefire violations between the government and the MILF. A number of complaints from both sides are presently pending before the joint ceasefire committee. 

On February 17, a local MILF commander was killed in a police operation when he fought back after resisting arrest, a GMA report said.

Arrest complicates peace deal? 

A source close to the talks told Agence France-Presse Tundok and his men had assisted the military in its hunt for members of the BIFF.

The joint operations were carried out as part of confidence-building measures before the signing of the comprehensive peace agreement.

The arrest, according to the source, could complicate the deal.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Deles lamented that the arrest came at a “sensitive stage” and just weeks ahead of a likely final peace agreement.

“This (the release of Tundok) is already under discussion with our security forces,” Deles said, adding that both sides were working on a “mutually acceptable resolution” of the issue.

Appeal for calm

As of posting, sources from the MILF and the ceasefire committee could not be reached for comments.

The MILF is presently working at facilitating Tundok’s release through the joint ceasefire committee, MILF vice chair for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar said in a statement read over local radio.

Jaafar said the MILF believes Tundok’s case is covered by the immunity clause of the ceasefire agreement between the government and the MILF, according to an Inquirer report

Although the MILF condemned the arrest, the rebel group also appealed for calm.

“Let”s keep our heads cool and allow our ceasefire protocol mechanism to work,” he said. 

Jaafar gave assurances that the conflict would not affect the peace process. 

“The MILF Central Committee is doing everything to resolve the problem. Let us continue to work for the attainment of peace and harmony in our native land,” he said.  Agence France Presse and Angela Casauay/Rappler.com

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