MANILA, Philippines – Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro admitted yesterday that the manhunt for Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) commanders Ameril Umbra Kato, Abdurahman Macapaar alias Commander Bravo, and Aleem Sulaiman alias Commander Pangalian is getting more difficult due to the scarcity of intelligence information on their whereabouts.
Teodoro, in Hawaii to represent the government in the commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan, said that while security forces continue to contain the rebels in a certain area, pinpointing their exact location has become more difficult.
He said an intensified intelligence gathering operation is needed to capture the three rebel commanders and their followers.
He said the security efforts in other parts of Mindanao, particularly in Sulu, have affected the military’s focus.
Nine government troopers were killed in separate encounters with MILF rebels in North Cotabato and Maguindanao last week.
Troops have been running after Kato and Commanders Bravo and Pangalian since last August.
The three commanders led their men in pillaging civilian communities in North Cotabato, Lanao del Norte and Sarangani.
The government has offered P20 million as reward to anybody who could provide information that could lead to the arrest of the rebel commanders.