MILF denies involvement in Cotabato City blast

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has denied involvement in Friday’s bomb explosion on the busy street in Cotabato City that injured two people.

“We have no reason to sow terror and we are observing a truce with the government…we have nothing to do with the blast,” MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu stressed in a radio interview.

“We are the usual suspects whenever there is terror attacks in the country. We are always their scapegoat,” he added.

Intelligence information pointed to Said Pakiladato and a certain Ustadz Hawon as behind the bomb attack near a fastfood chain on Makakua Street. The two are reportedly leaders of the 105th MILF Base Command in central Mindanao.

Authorities also tagged Pakiladato as the mastermind of the 2003 explosion that killed Datu Piang Mayor Saudi Ampatuan. He was also blamed for the previous bombings in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat, and Makilala, North Cotabato.

"We do not know where these intelligence reports about their alleged involvement are coming but they are definitely not involved in any of the incidents mentioned," Kabalu said.

He said the authorities should conduct further investigation before naming any MILF commanders because doing so without basis could further endanger the stalled peace talks between the rebels and the government.

The stalled GRP-MILF peace talks is expected to resume this year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with the debatable issue of territory of the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity as main agenda. (HG)