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Monday, March 10, 2003
Duterte dares MILF to prove innocence
By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO -- City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte Sunday called on leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to prove their non-involvement in the powerful blast of the Davao International Airport (DIA) that killed 23 people by surrendering to authorities the bombers.
"I believe that Hashim Salamat is a decent man, but I would insist filing of charges and warrants to be issued to them," Duterte said in his radio program Sunday. "Prove to us that you are not involved. Just surrender the bombers."
Duterte said if the Muslim rebels could prove that they are not involved in anyway with the bombing of the airport, then he is willing to apologize publicly for his earlier statements.
"If you have the culprits in your hands then give them to us, kung kamo mismo mu-ihaw mas labing maayo (if you execute them yourselves, the better)," he added.
MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu on the other hand, said the MILF has nothing to prove anymore.
Kabalu said their willingness to cooperate with the government on the investigation is "all water under the bridge" because of the government's pronouncement that flatly accuses them of the crime without "due process."
Kabalu earlier said that the MILF leaders have "relocated" to safer places after the multiple murder and frustrated murder charges were filed against them before the Davao City Prosecutors Office Friday.
Kabalu and MILF vice chair Ghadzali Jaafar reside in Cotabato City, MILF chair Hashim Salamat is believed to be somewhere in Liguasan Marsh and Al Hadj Murad is in Malaysia.
Duterte who was also appointed by President Arroyo as "crisis manager" to solve the crime, said there were indications that Salamat and his lieutenants ordered the attack.
Duterte said two weeks prior to the bombing last Tuesday, he had received intelligence reports of a MILF terrorist attack in the city.
He said he tried to contact Salamat through the rebel chief's nephew, Datu Ibrahim Paglas, in nearby Cotabato province, but was told he was out of the country.
"I was desperate, I wanted to talk to him," Duterte said.
The mayor said he then went to Manila and urged "higher ups" -- including Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes, Interior Secretary Jose Lina and national police chief Hermogenes Ebdane -- to cease talks with the MILF and impose martial law in the south.
"Two weeks ago I raised the alarm with (the Manila government) that there is a movement in Davao that cannot be controlled," Duterte said.
Warrantless arrest
Duterte also challenged anyone against his emergency policy on warrantless arrest to a debate.
An obviously irate Duterte said its unfortunate that some of this supposed legal experts continue criticizing his policy when there is nothing illegal about it.
"All you lawyers out there who wish to be contentious, I thought we are reading the same law books. If we are, then you will know that I can arrest people without warrant," Duterte said.
A graduate of the law school of San Beda College, the mayor said being a prosecutor for 11 years taught him a lot about warrantless arrest.
"I am not bragging but having been a city prosecutor, I know the basis of a warrantless arrest. From what school did you guys finish law?" he asked.
Duterte also criticized people who remain skeptical that the MILF had a hand in the bombing of the Davao International Airport last March 4.
"I really don't care if you don't believe the government. After all, when the time comes we will all suffer. But I don't really think there was a failure of intelligence because two weeks before the bombing, I raised the alarm," he said.
"It is not my fault if your IQ is 14. One week before text messages were circulating that key cities in Mindanao will be bombed. Your memory is similar to that of an ant. If you are really intelligent, why not take my place as mayor," Duterte added.
Authorities charged Terso Sudang, a barangay captain of Kabacan, Cotabato, and Undungan Sudang, said to be the father of suspected suicide bomber Muntazer Sudang, with multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder.
The Sudangs are currently detained by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police in Region 11.
Peace talks
With MILF leaders in hiding, back-channel peace negotiations between government and the rebels ahead of formal negotiations would be affected, Kabalu said.
But President Arroyo's spokesman, Ignacio Bunye clarified the government was not closing the door on peace talks with the MILF, even as authorities were looking for its leaders.
"What we are saying is that the mode for negotiating is still there," Bunye said, adding that the Malaysian government has offered to help mediate in the process launched by Arroyo in 2001.
Bunye cited as an example the Sri Lankan government, which despite hostilities had still engaged the separatist Tamil tigers in talks.
Bunye also dispel the notion reflected in news and editorial reports that the Department of National Defense or the Armed Forces of the Philippines has made tactical decisions outside the purview of established national policy.
The standing policy for the Mindanao situation is to give full rein to the imperatives of peace, development and justice. This means that:
* Peace negotiations shall be pursued with the facilitation and assistance of third-party nations in order to achieve a comprehensive and durable settlement of the conflict in line with the Constitution.
* Development will be pursued in line with overall national economic plans, with priority on programs and projects that have a close bearing to the peace process and the alleviation of poverty-cutting across all communities of Muslims, Christians and Lumads.
* Justice will be pursued against those engaged in terrorism and organized crime, separate from the pursuit of peace and development processes. The law will spare no one, but due process will be observed at all times without resort to vigilantism against any community or religious group.
Strained relationship
Mayor Duterte admitted that the March 4 bombing affected his "relationship" with the Muslim secessionist group.
"There is a time to be together and a time to separate. As there is a time for joy there's always a time for sorrow. As there is a time to be understanding with each other, there's always a time for intolerance. As there is a time for peace, there will always be a time for war," he said, quoting a passage from the Bible.
Duterte, however, clarified that he is not fighting the whole MILF organization but only a few members. He also encouraged the people not to practice bigotry against all Muslims as this would only aggravate the situation.
He assured all law-abiding and innocent Muslims that they would be protected under his administration.
"Just as I protect all innocent Christians," Duterte said.(Sun.Star Davao)
(March 10, 2003 issue)
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