From InterAksyon (Feb 27): MILF commander Wahid Tundok released to a politician, says Army
Wahid Tundok, commander of the 118th Base Command of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, was released not to the MILF but to a politician, ranking military officials said on Thursday.
Major General Romeo Gapuz, commander of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division, however, declined to identify the politician who is now in custody of Tubdok.
“Ngayon ang [Today is] formal turnover,” Gapuz said in a phone interview, without explaining why the politician took custody of the rebel commander.
Tundok was arrested early this week at a checkpoint manned by the Philippine Marines inCotabato City
The MILF leadership through vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar immediately worked for the immediate release of Tundok, saying MILF leaders, commanders, and members are immune from arrest by virtue of the ongoing ceasefire and peace talks.
Despite the crimes involving Tudok, Gapuz said the MILF had no other choice but to give primacy to the peace process and release the MILF commander.
“I think everybody must have to move on and support what the government is doing, to keep the peace process. Yeah, we have to move on and accept everything, past is past,” Gapuz said when asked if the MILF had already forgiven Tundok and his men for leading several attacks in the past, killing scores of government troops.
Meanwhile, 6th ID spokesman Colonel Dickson Hermoso explained that the turnover of Tundok to the unnamed politician was just the first phase of a formal turnover ceremony.
“Na-move na (formal turnover) naman sa [It was moved again on] Saturday.... bale parang [it's like a] thanksgiving. Kakatapos lang naming mag-meeting. Sa Sabado magkakaroon ng parang kanduli, thanksgiving [We just finished our meeting. O Saturday, there will be a kanduli or thanksgiving],” Hermoso said.
He said the activity would be part of a “confidence building” for the forthcoming signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro.
During the thanksgiving, government and military officials will be gathering together with top leader and commanders of the MILF “to celebrate” peace, according to Hermoso.
Earlier, the government and MILF peace panels signed the Annex on Normalization, the last of four annexes that paves the way for the decommissioning and disarmament of the MILF.
According to Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, the AFP expects MILF's surrender of more than 7,500 firearms.
The MILF membership ranges from 11,000 to 12,000, half of whom are combatants.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/81677/milf-commander--wahid-tundok-released-to-a-politician-says-army
Wahid Tundok, commander of the 118th Base Command of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, was released not to the MILF but to a politician, ranking military officials said on Thursday.
Major General Romeo Gapuz, commander of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division, however, declined to identify the politician who is now in custody of Tubdok.
“Ngayon ang [Today is] formal turnover,” Gapuz said in a phone interview, without explaining why the politician took custody of the rebel commander.
Tundok was arrested early this week at a checkpoint manned by the Philippine Marines in
The MILF leadership through vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar immediately worked for the immediate release of Tundok, saying MILF leaders, commanders, and members are immune from arrest by virtue of the ongoing ceasefire and peace talks.
Despite the crimes involving Tudok, Gapuz said the MILF had no other choice but to give primacy to the peace process and release the MILF commander.
“I think everybody must have to move on and support what the government is doing, to keep the peace process. Yeah, we have to move on and accept everything, past is past,” Gapuz said when asked if the MILF had already forgiven Tundok and his men for leading several attacks in the past, killing scores of government troops.
Meanwhile, 6th ID spokesman Colonel Dickson Hermoso explained that the turnover of Tundok to the unnamed politician was just the first phase of a formal turnover ceremony.
“Na-move na (formal turnover) naman sa [It was moved again on] Saturday.... bale parang [it's like a] thanksgiving. Kakatapos lang naming mag-meeting. Sa Sabado magkakaroon ng parang kanduli, thanksgiving [We just finished our meeting. O Saturday, there will be a kanduli or thanksgiving],” Hermoso said.
He said the activity would be part of a “confidence building” for the forthcoming signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro.
During the thanksgiving, government and military officials will be gathering together with top leader and commanders of the MILF “to celebrate” peace, according to Hermoso.
Earlier, the government and MILF peace panels signed the Annex on Normalization, the last of four annexes that paves the way for the decommissioning and disarmament of the MILF.
According to Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, the AFP expects MILF's surrender of more than 7,500 firearms.
The MILF membership ranges from 11,000 to 12,000, half of whom are combatants.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/81677/milf-commander--wahid-tundok-released-to-a-politician-says-army