MILF leader killed in Davao Oriental

DAVAO CITY — A local leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was shot to death by unidentified armed men at around 7:30 p.m.Tuesday night in Lupon, Davao Oriental.

Army Col. Benito de Leon, chief of staff of the 10th Infantry Division based here in Davao City, identified the victim as Bashir Takasan, a known MILF leader in the area.

According to De Leon, Takasan was reportedly a member of the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) of the government and MILF peace panels which oversees the apprehension of criminal elements in the communities considered to be dominated by members of the separatist rebel group.

Takasan’s son was also said to have been wounded in the said incident and is now confined at the Davao Regional Hospital in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

De Leon said Bashir has been known to have vigorously helped in the government’s efforts in the peace process.

"The motive of the incident could have been perpetrated by those who were against his helping the government," De Leon further said.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Edgardo Gurrea, head of the government committee to the Joint Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities said the killing of Takasan could possibly be a case of ‘rido’ with someone that the victim could have possibly been in disagreement with.

Rido is usually referred to as a ‘clan war’ between families that denotes bloody confrontation.

"We have to look further into the Takasan case because it might also be rido," Gurrea said.

Gurrea likewise said that the AHJAG shall tackle Takasan’s death and its implication in the prevailing ceasefire between the MILF forces and government troops on the ground.