MILF's Kato faces terror raps

MANILA, Philippines – Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Commander Ameril Umbra Kato, whose men pillaged a dozen barangays in Cotabato province last month, will be charged in court with the crime of terrorism as defined under the Human Security Act.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez announced yesterday that warrants of arrest have been issued against Kato and Abdullah Macapaar, alias Commander Bravo.

Kidapawan City prosecutor Al Calica, chief of the Department of Justice’s special task force for Central Mindanao, said he had signed a resolution recommending the immediate prosecution of Kato.

Calica said his resolution of the charges filed by five Cotabato municipal police stations against Kato and his followers has been submitted to the court for deliberation.

The criminal cases against Kato were prepared and documented by police stations in the towns of Pikit, Aloesan, Midsayap, Libungan and Pigcawayan, Calica added.

He said of the 107 complaints against Kato and his men, 42 were for arson; 37 for armed robbery; 18 for attempted     murder; four for murder; two each for grave coercion, serious illegal detention, and violation of the Anti-Cattle Rustling Act.

“The evidences presented are so strong,” he said. “We have no doubt the local courts will immediately issue warrants for their arrest.”

Also charged were more than a dozen MILF commanders, among them the notorious Wahid Tundok, a radical Islamist who allegedly masterminded the massacre of seven soldiers manning a roadside checkpoint in Barangay Linantangan in Mamasapano, Maguindanao almost three years ago, he added.

Task Force PALMA-P (Pigkawayan, Aleosan, Libungan, Midsayap, Alamada and Pikit, all in North Cotabato) had also filed additional charges based on 110 complaints including arson, murder, frustrated and attempted murder, robbery, serious illegal detention and grave coercion against Kato and his men before the North Cotabato Prosecutor’s Office.

Victims scared to file charges

Scared victims have delayed the filing of murder and other charges against the MILF and Abu Sayyaf terrorists that attacked and pillaged the town of Tipo-Tipo, Basilan last month, police said yesterday.

Senior Superintendent Jose Pante, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group regional chief, said they have already prepared the charges against seven MILF commanders and 277 followers, and 17 Abu Sayyaf terrorists that colluded in the Aug. 11 attacks in the town of Tipo-Tipo.

“We have identified all the leaders of the MILF, 277 of their followers as John Does, and 17 Abu Sayyaf militants,” he said.

The victims assured him they will submit their affidavits before his office before the filing of formal charges, he added.

Police already have the pictures and sketches of all the MILF and Abu Sayyaf commanders wholed the attacks, Pante said.  — John Unson, Roel Pareño, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Mike Frialde