MILF told: Yield brains of Cotabato kidnap-slay

COTABATO CITY — The military challenged the peace panel of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) yesterday to prove its sincerity in enforcing the anti-crime provisions of the ceasefire by turning over to the police one of its commanders tagged as the brains in last Sunday’s kidnap-slaying of two livestock traders in Midsayap, North Cotabato.

The victims, Rolando Kupasan and Cirilo Dramos, were known political supporters of North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Piñol, popular for his iron-fisted policy in dealing with lawless elements in his province.

Police and military investigators said Kupasan and Dramos were seized last Sunday by MILF commander Bukanig Bangon and his followers in Kudarangan, a remote barangay in Midsayap.

The bodies of Kupasan and Dramos were later found in a muddy area in the boundary of Midsayap and Datu Piang, Maguindanao. — John Unson