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Suspected MILF rebels posing as evacuees nabbed

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 10/14/2008 1:04 PM

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Military intelligence operatives have arrested three suspected Moro Islamic Liberation Fronts allegedly posing as evacuees in Datu Saudi-Ampatuan town in Maguindanao province.

Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, spokesman of the Philippine Army's 6th Infantry Division, named the suspected rebels as Abi Calicot, Suwaid Sinoka and Nassir Abubakar.

Ando said the three were arrested from the Sambulawan Elementary School, which has been converted into an evacuation center for residents affected by the hostilities in Maguindanao province.

The military spokesman said the 6th Infantry Division received an intelligence report that some members of the MILF 105th Base Command led by Ameril Umbra Kato are posing as evacuees in some relief centers in Maguindanao.

He said some rebels under Umbra Kato's command have been infiltrating evacuation centers to evade arrest.

Umbra Kato led civilian attacks in North Cotabato after the Supreme Court stopped the Bangsamoro homeland accord it was supposed to sign with the government.

The group allegedly burned down houses, took over farm lands, and killed livestock of North Cobato villagers.

Other senior MILF commanders, including Abdulrahman Macapaar alias Commander Bravo, are being tracked down by the military and the police for civilian attacks in Lanao provinces.

The government has offered P25-million reward for the arrest of the rebel commanders.

as of 10/14/2008 1:04 PM