IMT probes MILF men’s killing in drug raid

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — The death of nine Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members in an alleged encounter with anti-drug operatives in Matalam, North Cotabato on May 26 should not affect the peace process, according to the International Monitoring Team.

The IMT, which is composed of military and police officers from Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and conflict resolution experts from Japan, Norway and the European Union, started its investigation into the incident on Friday. They visited the site of the alleged encounter in Barangay Kilada.

The office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and the  6th Infantry Division are supporting the IMT probe.

Maj. Gen. Dato Haji Mohd Nazir Bin Haji Mami, IMT mission head, appealed for sobriety from concerned sectors to ensure that the incident would not stifle peace initiatives anew.

Mami assured the public of a thorough investigation into the incident.

The MILF sought the inquiry, saying the slain MILF guerillas were not drug pushers.

Butch Malang, MILF ceasefire committee chairman, also denied allegations that the victims fired at law enforcers who raided their lair.

The government and the MILF are bound by the Agreement on General Cessation of Hostilities to resolve security issues in conflict flashpoint areas.