- MANILA: A leader of the largest Muslim rebel group in the Philippines says it has formally severed ties with a renegade guerrilla commander who led attacks against Christian communities after a proposed peace pact was scuttled three years ago.
Ghadzali Jaafar, vice chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, said Thursday that the rebels’ central committee made the decision in light of Ameril Umbra Kato’s declaration in August that he has left the rebel group and formed his own.
Jaafar says the rebels’ cease-fire agreement with the government will no longer cover Kato’s Bangsamoro Islamic Liberation Movement.
Presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles says she is withholding comment until the rebel leadership has officially informed the government of its decision.
