ALEOSAN, Philippines, 7 June — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) yesterday accused army soldiers of killing three of its members in a raid despite a standing truce between the two sides.
MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said two others, both civilians, were also killed as a result of indiscriminate firing by the soldiers.
Elements of 40th and 64th Infantry Battalions reportedly conducted the raid early yesterday in Barangay Tubak of Aleosan town.
The three MILF members belonged to the Front’s Internal Security Forces (ISF), said Kabalu.
He said the raiders confiscated three pieces firearms believed to be owned by the victims.
Kabalu explained that the ISF has a primary function of maintenance and preservation of law and order in the local community. Although they are armed, they are not combatants.
Meanwhile, the 31 Muslims who were arrested during ex-President Joseph Estrada’s all-out war on the were freed after almost two years in detention,
Though their freedom is only temporary, the detainees were jubilant as they walked out of jail in Mati, Davao Oriental late Wednesday.
“At last we are free. We can now get back at Erap (Estrada). Unfortunately for him, he might end up being hanged,” said Rosel Lagbawan, one of the detainees.
Judge Diosdado Yamas of the regional trial court here ordered the “provisional dismissal” of Lagbawan and his companions who were detained on murder and robbery charges.
The charges stemmed from the death of at least 10 soldiers in Tarragona town in early 2000 and the disarming of several militiamen by suspected MILF rebels.
