MILF accosts 2 military 'spies' in assembly

Manila, Philippines - The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) apprehended two soldiers who were allegedly spying in the recent Moro Leaders’ Assembly in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. 

In a statement, the MILF said the two soldiers have been turned over to the headquarters of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in Cotabato City.

The soldiers were identified as Sgt. Sammy Pasadilla of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division and Pfc. Jamer Maulana of the 603rd Infantry Brigade.

“The two soldiers, who were nabbed separately, did not resist when accosted by MILF security forces, who were alerted earlier of the presence of suspicious-looking persons,” the MILF said.

The MILF said two motorcycles and personal belongings were taken from the two soldiers but were later returned to them.

Said Shiek Al Haj, head of the MILF ceasefire committee, turned over the soldiers to Maj. Gen. Abdul Raheem bin Mohammad Yusuff, head of mission of the IMT. 

The IMT, on the other hand, turned over the two soldiers to Brig. Gen. Gilberto Roa, head of the government’s ceasefire panel, last Thursday.

In the turnover papers, the MILF reminded the government that uncoordinated movements and activities are violations of the ceasefire.

The military, however, denied that the two soldiers had been ordered to spy on the Moro assembly.

Col. Prudencio Asto, spokesman of the 6th ID, said Pasadilla went to the MILF’s Camp Darapanan to avoid a traffic jam as he was on his way to Camp Siongco, the headquarters of the 6th ID. 

Asto said Maulana, on the other hand, was conducting civil-military operations in MILF communities.

“(The two soldiers) are not spies or infiltrators,” Asto said.