COTABATO CITY—The Moro Islamic Liberation Front was set to file a protest for violation of its standing ceasefire agreement with the government, following the killing of one of its members in a police operation on Tuesday.
Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF first vice chairman, said the police operation against his brother Mohaimen Abo, was yet another instance of a failure of coordination, as provided under a 19-year-old peace agreement with the government.
The Philippine National Police in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PNP-ARMM) said authorities were serving arrest warrants on Abo at his house in Barangay Crossing Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao Tuesday.
Senior Insp. Marcille Manzano, spokesperson of the PNP-ARMM, said Abo, also known as Boy Bangsamoro, resisted arrest and was killed in the ensuing exchange of fire.
But Jaafar said the proper channel should have been the bilateral Ad Hoc Joint Action Group, since his brother was a member of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces.
Police arrested two other members during the operation.
“You know if the government should conduct a law enforcement operation, there is a ceasefire mechanism [in place as a channel] for it, as bilaterally agreed by the government and the MILF,” Jaafar said, referring to AHJAG.
Jaafar said a failure in bilateral coordination for law enforcement operations was an obstacle to peace.
Manzano, however, said the arresting officers were compelled to fire back when Abo shot at them.
Police said he had a .45 pistol.
The Regional Trial Court of Sultan Kudarat Branch 12 has ordered the arrest of Abo, and a certain Kumander Falcon, for a string of criminal cases, including murder, robbery, frustrated murder, kidnapping-for-ransom and kidnapping with homicide.