Captured MILF commander released

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Updated) – A top commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was freed early Tuesday evening, February 25, after the government and the rebel group held special talks to facilitate his release. 

Wahid Tundok, chief of the MILF’s 118th Base Command, was captured at a checkpoint in Cotabato City by police and members of the Philippine Marines on Sunday, February 23.

In a statement released Wednesday, February 26, government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said Tundok was released after “the recall of the warrant of arrest order by the Regional Trial Court Branch 15 of Cotabato City” Tuesday. 

“The GPH Panel thanks the Coordinating Committee on Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and the Adhoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) of the Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front for ensuring, with the assistance of the 6th Infantry Division of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the maintenance of the ceasefire and the smooth resolution of the matter,” Ferrer said. 

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

The turnover by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police to the MILF-CCCH is expected to take place Wednesday in the presence of the International Monitoring Team, the GPH-CCCH and AHJAG, and several local government officials.

Peace talks on track

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

Von Al-Haq, spokesman of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, said the dropping of charges and the release of Tundok is proof that all leaders and members of rebel group are covered by the ongoing talks.

He added that this may be a precedent for the granting of general amnesty for all MILF leaders and members.

“With this incident, we saw that it is possible that the government would grant general amnesty to all the leaders and members of the MILF,” he added.

And with several MILF leaders and fighters still imprisoned, Al-Haq appealed to the government that it would be constructive for the creation of a new political entity to release all political prisoners.

Al-Haq thanked MILF rebels for remaining calm during the incident.

“Some members…were bothered. But we asked them to stand down and remain calm because we are confident that the peace process and the ceasefire mechanism are working,” Al-Haq said. – Rappler.com