ZAMBOANGA CITY — The military denied its ongoing pursuit operations against rebel leader Habier Malik and his followers could adversely affect the government’s peace accord with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
A ranking military official earlier revealed there was an ongoing pursuit operation against the renegade MNLF commander and his followers in Sulu.
Maj. Eugene Batara, spokesman for Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), however, clarified any military operation is not aimed at the MNLF but only on Malik who is also wanted for various criminal offenses.
Malik, one of the lieutenants of jailed former MNLF chairman Nur Misuari, was abandoned by his co-leaders after unilaterally leading the attack on a military camp in Panamao resulting in the deaths of several villagers last April.
Malik also took hostage Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino, a senior Malacañang peace adviser and 18 of his staff and security last February, following a meeting at the MNLF camp in Barangay Bitan-ag that discussed compensation for MNLF members and their families who were affected in the conflict.
Batara said the operation was discriminate and backed by intelligence and they were coordinating to avert a “mis-encounter” with the main MNLF.
Five Marines and 10 rogue rebels under Malik were killed and more than 26 others –18 rebels and eight soldiers – were wounded in a clash Friday in Mt. Pukan in Kalinggalang Kaluang.
Batara said the offensive is part of their determined effort to arrest Malik and his followers.
Military officials disclosed that Malik is putting himself in a worse situation after pursuing troops found that the renegade MNLF commander merged with the Abu Sayyaf extremists and Jemaah Islamiyah militants. – Roel Pareño