MILF building new camp, claims Piñol

DAVAO CITY — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has reportedly started building a new stronghold within the 50,000-hectare expanse of the Liguasan Marsh where the front’s elusive chairman, Hashim Salamat, is said to be holding court, North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Piñol said.

"What the MILF is doing in the Liguasan Marsh is starting to build a new Camp Abubakar which would become their main headquarters. They are starting to build up their forces in the heart of the Liguasan Marsh," Piñol said.

The MILF lost all its camps, including its main enclave, Camp Abubakar in Parang, Maguindanao, during last year’s all-out military offensive against the separatist rebels in Central and Northern Mindanao.

The Liguasan Marsh straddles portions of Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato and Maguindanao.

Although there have been no armed confrontations yet between the military and MILF forces in the area, Piñol cited persistent intelligence reports that the MILF is slowly building their fortress there.

Piñol also cited reports of arms build-up with MILF rebels seen transporting rocket-propelled grenades to their enclaves.

The military has failed to establish full control of the Liguasan Marsh, which has also become the sanctuary of kidnap-for-ransom groups operating in Central Mindanao, particularly the Pentagon group led by Tahir Alonto, said to be an MILF commander.

"We know that those kidnapped by the Pentagon are usually brought to the Liguasan Marsh. So nobody can penetrate it without the MILF’s blessing," Piñol said.