Palace: Government will not turn over arrested MILF demolition expert

The government will not turn over to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) one of its key members arrested by the military for allegedly staging another bombing in Mindanao.

Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao said the peace negotiations with the MILF does not cover terrorism or any criminal activity.

"I suppose they (MILF) won’t ever admit that they know the suspect as a bomb expert," Tiglao added.

MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu has repeatedly invoked the ceasefire agreement in securing the release of Abu Hashim Solaiman, said to be the henchman of Shamier Salamat, brother of MILF chairman Hashim Salamat.

Army intelligence agents arrested Solaiman last Thursday for allegedly carrying a battery-operated bomb package while on his way to Kidapawan City, which was hit by an explosion last Oct. 10 that left at least seven people dead.

Solaiman was reportedly carrying a bomb package, made out of mortar rounds and anti-tank rockets, when he was arrested by military intelligence at a road checkpoint in Alamada, North Cotabato.

Military officials claimed Solaiman was trained in Afghanistan as an explosives and demolitions expert in the1980s before serving as deputy training director of MILF’s Abdurahman Bedis Memorial Military Academy at Camp Abubakar, the rebel group’s main stronghold before it was overrun by government troops in mid-2000.

Kabalu insisted the arrest of Solaiman was not only a breach of the peace agreement but also a provocation.

Presidential Assistant for Mindanao and negotiator Jesus Dureza told The Star that MILF leaders sought his help to facilitate Solaiman’s release.

"I told them (MILF) leaders that the judicial system already took over because he (Solaiman) was already charged. I suggested they could provide him with a lawyer," Dureza told The Star in a telephone interview.

"I assured them there are adequate laws to protect him," he added.

Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes said the MILF’s insistence to turn over Solaiman practically reveals their leaning and involvement with terrorists.

"I thought they (MILF leaders) promised to assist us in apprehending terrorists, criminals and kidnappers. Now they’re asking us to turnover to them a bomber who was caught red-handed," Reyes told The Star in a separate interview.

Reyes also claimed it was "queer" on the part of the MILF to press on the release of Solaiman.

He said the MILF’s insistence only bolstered suspicions that the rebel group has links with local and international terrorist groups aside from being involved in kidnap-for-ransom and extortion activities.