MILF rebels lodge protest over arrests

June 13, 2013
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MANILA, Philippines – Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels said Wednesday (June 12th) they lodged a protest with the Philippines government over the recent arrest of four guerrillas, adding the arrests could derail peace talks, AFP reported.

  • In a February 11th Malacanang Photo Bureau (MPB) handout photo, Philippines President Benigno Aquino (right) shakes hands with members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panel as he arrives at a rebel stronghold in Sultan Kudarat, Mindanao. The MILF expressed frustration Wednesday (June 12th) with the recent arrest of four rebel soldiers for illegal possession of ammunition. [Jay Morales/MPB/AFP]

    In a February 11th Malacanang Photo Bureau (MPB) handout photo, Philippines President Benigno Aquino (right) shakes hands with members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panel as he arrives at a rebel stronghold in Sultan Kudarat, Mindanao. The MILF expressed frustration Wednesday (June 12th) with the recent arrest of four rebel soldiers for illegal possession of ammunition. [Jay Morales/MPB/AFP]

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MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar said some believe the arrests were a deliberate attempt to target the group despite a ceasefire.

"We filed this protest to send a message to the government that we are not happy with what is going on and we are very much concerned about the situation."

He said the four were arrested separately for alleged illegal possession of ammunition on the southern island of Mindanao, but insisted that under the terms of the current ceasefire, MILF fighters are allowed to keep their weapons and ammunition.

In a statement, Miriam Coronel, head of the government peace panel, said she asked the police to issue a complete report on the cases.

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