Rogue MILF commander sighted in Sibugay

OROQUIETA CITY, Philippines – A former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) commander said to be the leader of a notorious kidnapping group was sighted in the hinterlands of Tungawan town in Zamboanga Sibugay, the military said yesterday.

Maj. Gen. Noel Coballes, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, (ID) said Waning Abdusalam, who was also behind the series of attacks on police and Army units in Zamboanga Peninsula that left four soldiers and four policemen dead, is being guarded by 30 of his armed followers.

The sighting of the former MILF commander confirmed reports that he survived military and police air and ground assaults at Sitio Talaib, Barangay Labatan in Payao town last Oct. 24.

Coballes said Abdusalam who was seriously wounded in the attack, was transferred from one place to another by his loyal followers to evade pursuing troops.

There were reports that Abdusalam and his group are linked to the group of MILF rebels based in Basilan.

Coballes said local government units including those from Zamboanga del Sur are also involved in efforts to nail down the bandit leader.