Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leader Ameril Ombra Kato, wanted for attacks on a number of villages in Mindanao last July, was almost captured three weeks ago, Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said yesterday.
Verzosa said Kato managed to flee after he and his men shot it out with policemen and soldiers.
“We will continue our operations against them,” he said, although he could not promise if Kato and fellow rogue MILF leaders Abdurahman Macapaar alias Commander Bravo and Aleem Sulayman Pangalian would fall before the year ends.
Earlier, Armed Forces chief Gen. Alexander Yano said he was unsure if the three and their men could be arrested within the year.
This developed as the Armed Forces’ Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) challenged the MILF leadership to reveal the findings of its internal investigation into the atrocities committed by Macapaar and Kato.
The MILF announced last week that it had completed its investigation into the attacks in North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte.
However, MILF chairman Ebrahim Murad refused to make public the contents of their 11-page investigation report on the Lanao del Norte incident and a separate 33-page report on the North Cotabato case.
A three-man MILF panel conducted the investigation, the results of which, according to the MILF leaders, were classified and were only for internal use.
The findings, the MILF said, would guide it in its continuing effort to strengthen or consolidate itself, including the institution of punishment for its erring commanders or members.
Maj. Gen. Armando Cunanan, Eastmincom commander, said the MILF should declassify the findings of its investigation.
“The declassification of the MILF fact-finding committee report on the human rights abuses committed by Kato and Macapaar would be to the best interest of all the parties concerned, especially the families of the victims and the peace-loving Christians and Muslims in Central Mindanao,” Cunanan said.
He said the MILF must show its sincerity and impartiality not only to the government but also to international observers and human rights advocates by releasing the results of its investigation.
“The MILF should also at the same time surrender their erring commanders in court to show that no one is above the law,” Cunanan said.
Eastmincom spokesman Maj. Randolph Cabangbang said Kato and Macapaar led attacks on at least 26 municipalities in Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato and Sarangani.
Cabangbang said the attacks left 42 civilians dead and more than 200 houses burned.
He said the government’s Inter-Agency Legal Action Group has filed 42 cases in court against Macapaar and 107 separate cases against Kato ranging from murder, frustrated murder to homicide, frustrated homicide and robbery, among others.
The business community in Central Mindanao has urged the military to step up its hunt for the rogue MILF leaders. – With Edith Regalado and John Unson