Diane Hora | iMINDSPH
Manila — As Senate Committee on National Defense and Security continues its public hearing on the decommissioning of MILF combatants and weapons, discussions veered towards allegations of extortion by some commanders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) from decommissioned combatants in relation to the cash grants they received.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada, the chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security said, “pinaiimbestigahan natin sa mga opisyal ng Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Peace Implementing Panel Secretariat ang diumano’y pangongotong ng ilang kumander ng MILF sa rebel returnees. Mahalaga pong malaman natin na hindi napupunta sa maling kamay ang P100,000 cash grant sa rebel returnees at makagawa ang awtoridad ng mga kaukulang aksyon sa mali at iligal na gawain na ito”.
Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. emphasized that he will not tolerate any irregularities in the decommissioning process of former warriors of the MILF.
However, Galvez said, complainants must submit a detailed affidavit containing their allegations to serve as the basis for a formal investigation.
Sec. Galvez also assured the committee during the hearing that he would bring the complaints to the leadership of the MILF.
Meantime, Engineer Mahajirin Ali of the MILF Peace Implementing Panel Secretariat expressed that MILF commanders should not interfere with the cash grants provided to their members. He added that they will be subjected to disciplinary actions if evidence of such actions is found.
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