Manero’s ‘Ilagas’ vow to cut ears of MILF rebels

DAVAO CITY — Prompted to action by the recent hostile actions of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), at least 600 members of the Ilaga Christian vigilante group have regrouped and vowed to help in the government offensive against terrorist groups in Mindanao.

The Ilagas, known as a fanatical group in the 1970s, have offered assistance to the government in fighting the MILF rebels believed to be responsible for the spate of over 30 bombings and other attacks in various parts of Mindanao since January.

"We will help the government and we vow not only to cut off the ears of the MILF, but (will) also have them eat their ears too," said Buddy Manero, who now heads the present crop of the Ilonggo-dominated vigilante group.

Manero is a nephew of notorious Ilagas organizer Norberto Manero. The elder Manero is serving time at the Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City for the murder of an Italian priest in 1985, whose brains he reportedly ate.

"We have already contacted the government officials whom we think can help us in our movement," Manero told local radio station dxAB.

The Ilagas said the MILF have been committing inhumane acts in violation of the law of God and deserve to be punished.

Manero said the Ilagas have a strength of over 600 members, mostly in Central and Southern Mindanao, divided into 10 major groups and other satellite groups.

He said over the same radio program that they may seek the help of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who has also been tagged as a vigilante, though Duterte never admitted to engaging in vigilante activities.

Duterte was appointed crisis manager of Southern and Central Mindanao by the President in the wake of the bombings of the Davao International Airport and Sasa wharf, both in Davao City that killed 38 people and wounded over 200 others in March and April, respectively.

However, Duterte brushed aside the insinuations of the Ilagas, saying he would not support such a movement because it would only stir more unrest between Christians and Muslims in Mindanao.

"We cannot support such a movement. That would result in more problems in the future," Duterte said.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Crisolito Balaoing, commanding general of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, told The STAR the Ilagas have so far not been operating in the Lanao provinces and other areas of Northern Mindanao.

Instead, Balaoing said, a group of "Bisaya (Visayan)" civilian volunteer organization (CVO) members has been active in Northern Mindanao. "But these are people who just want to protect their communities. That is why they are doing it," he said.