DAVAO CITY, 6 January 2003 — A peace negotiator for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front was shot dead on Saturday moments after stepping out of a meeting with MILF leaders in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, it was reported yesterday.
Edu Abdullah, 45, died instantly from four gunshot wounds, the military said.
Initial reports said Abdullah, the commander of the MILF’s 104 Base Command in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat and truce coordinator for the MILF in the province, was standing outside the MILF satellite office at Crossing, Simuay village at about 3 p.m. Saturday when he was approached by two men. One of the men shot him at close range.
The suspects immediately fled.
The report said the killing of Abdullah was motivated by “personal reasons” and would not affect the peace negotiations between the Muslim secessionists and the government.
The MILF, the largest remaining Muslim separatist guerrilla force in the country, signed a ceasefire with the government to pave the way for peace talks, but sporadic clashes in remote areas have persisted.
“It has nothing to do with the ceasefire agreement,” said MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu.
According to Kabalu, Abdulah was shot dead after stepping out of a meeting with MILF political affairs chief Gazali Jaafar at the latter’s house at Crossing.
He said Abdullah had gone to the meeting to discuss ways of “strengthening” the peace agreement.
Kabalu said the lone gunman had followed the victim from Isulan.
Abdullah was said to be waiting for a ride that would take him to Cotabato City just outside the MILF satellite office when he was shot from behind.
“We believe the incident was triggered by a personal grudge,” Jaafar said.
He said the MILF was working with the police to solve the killing.
