MILF commander nabbed over pending arson, murder cases

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — The police arrested on Tuesday a senior commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front wanted for arson and multiple murder.

Hamsa Abdulla Pandita, who is more known in Maguindanao as Commander Transceiver, was nabbed by a police team in Montawal town.

Chief Inspector Erwin Tabora of the Montawal municipal police confirmed on Wednesday the arrest of Pandita.

Tabora said the suspect was arrested after police received tips that Pandita had been seen in towns along the boundary of North Cotabato and Maguindanao provinces, and in the company of unnamed politicians.

Senior Supt. Ronald Briones of the Maguindanao provincial police said security has been tight since Tuesday around the Montawal municipal police office where Pandita is detained

The families of the victims of the murder cases involving Pandita have appeared at the Montawal police station to confirm that there is no truth to rumors that they have agreed to out-of-court settlements with the payment of corresponding "blood money".

Senior officials of the Police Regional Office-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said the MILF panel of the joint ceasefire committee might intervene in Pandita's case.

The government and the MILF are bound by security pacts obliging both sides to cooperate in addressing peace and order problems besetting conflict flashpoint areas covered by the Agreement on General Cessation of Hostilities signed in July 1997.