Vigilantes warn MILF: Stop it or else

Thursday, 28 August 2008 09:29





Armed members of the Ilaga, a Christian group known for its bloody attacks and human rights abuses in Mindanao in the 1970s, have resurfaced in this province, warning the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to stop its atrocities against civilians or face the consequences.

“If the fighting will continue, for every civilian killed, we will execute 10 Moro rebels,” Mike Santiago, spokesperson of the Reform Ilaga Movement, told reporters during a press conference yesterday.

Santiago said the Ilaga (Visayan term for “rat”) would defend not only the rights of Christians and lumad (indigenous peoples), but also of Muslims displaced by the attacks of MILF rebels in Central Mindanao.
“The civilians are suffering now. That’s why we are asking the leadership of the MILF to stop its harassment and attacks in Mindanao because it will only complicate the life of the people,” he said.