MILF, MNLF deny coddling Bato

MANILA, Philippines — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) have denied insinuations raised on social media that some of their commanders were providing sanctuary to fugitive Sen. Ronald dela Rosa.

MILF officials earlier refuted Facebook posts purportedly showing one of its senior leaders, Abdullah Macapaar, appearing to provide refuge to Dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for alleged mass murder in
connection with former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

Duterte has been in detention in The Hague since March last year awaiting trial for crimes against humanity.

Macapaar is a former member of the interim Bangsamoro parliament that got replaced on Friday with a duly organized 80-member regional lawmaking body, composed of lawmakers elected during the autonomous region’s Sept. 14 elections.

MNLF and MILF leaders in the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte earlier called the Facebook posts preposterous and meant to malign both organizations.

Dela Rosa went into hiding in May after learning that he was to be arrested on orders of the ICC, to face trial in The Hague – together with the former president.

A senior administration lawmaker from Mindanao has also disowned a social media post purportedly announcing his supposed plan to file a resolution calling for a shoot-to-kill order against Dela Rosa.

“I categorically deny having made any statement warning that I would convene a House committee hearing or file a so-called shoot-to-kill resolution if Sen. Dela Rosa fails to surrender,” Rep. Lordan Suan said in a statement.

“I have never issued such a warning, nor have I advocated, threatened or contemplated any such action. As a lawyer and public servant, I believe firmly in due process and the rule of law,” the Cagayan de Oro City first district representative stressed.

“I urge the public to verify information from credible and official sources before believing or sharing it. My official social media accounts and the channels of the House remain the only reliable outlets for my positions and statements,” he pointed out.