MILF warned not to protect Zambo killers

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Military officials warned Muslim separatist rebels yesterday not to protect its members suspected in the bloody killing of a woman and six children in Zamboanga del Norte.

Lt. Gen. Roy Kyamko, chief of the Armed Forces’ Southern Command, warned the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that a ceasefire that is in place between the two sides does not cover those who commit common crimes.

"The peace talks do not give any immunity to any member of the MILF to commit crimes such as the massacre of the seven innocent civilians. We are ready to hit them even if they seek refuge in their camps," he said.

Kyamko earlier blamed MILF members for a raid on the town of Kalawit in Zamboanga del Norte where the woman and her seven children were hacked to death.

Army units pursued the attackers, killing one and capturing another in a nearby village a day later. Survivors have identified MILF members as taking part in the incident.

MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu has said he did not receive word of the incident but he remarked that there are many armed groups active in the south who may have been behind the incident.

The 12,500-member MILF has been waging an armed campaign to set up an Islamic state in Mindanao but has recently renounced terrorism, sealed a ceasefire with the government and is seeking to reopen peace talks. – Roel Pareño, AFP