NEWSFLASH

MINDANAO VIGILANTES ATTACK REBEL SUPPORTERS

Koronadal, South Cotabato, May 25, 2000 - Vigilante groups have started attacking suspected rebel supporters and kin in Mindanao.

Intelligence officials have identified at least five groups or cults involved in armed attacks against Muslims.

Last May 21, a joint patrol by the Civilian Volunteer Organization and the dreaded ILAGA killed Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Reformist leader Ting Maulana (a.k.a Kumander Maulana) in Barangay Badiangan, Palembang, Sultan Kudarat.

Palembang is a coastal part of the province and a Muslim-dominated locality. Kumander Maulana is reportedly the son of Kumander Diok, now a member of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB).

Four days after the encounter, unidentified men bombed the residence of the family of MILF Kumander Adan, in Barangay Saliao, Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat.

Adan reportedly led 300 MILF guerrillas in attacks last month on Barangay Pamantingan of Esperanza town and barangays Laguilayan and Laguindingan in Isulan, a move that started a week-long clash that forced thousands of civilians from their home.

Prior to the Palembang incident, an alleged ranking official of the MILF was ambushed and killed in broad daylight by armalite-wielding men at Barangay Lagao, General Santos City.

The killed rebel leader was identified only as Kumander Sedic. Police authorities did not discount involvement of vigilante groups.

General Santos Mayor Adelbert Antonino vigilantism as "a mechanism of hatred and misunderstanding."

"We live under the rule of law. We do not encourage or support vigilantism. We have the law enforcement agencies tasked to carry out the full force of the law," he told reporters.

A military intelligence source said five vigilante groups operate in General Santos City. Aside from the the Alliance of Christian Vigilantes for a Muslim Free Mindanao, there are the Sagrado Corazon De Jesus, the Pulahan, the Tadtad and Ilaga led by Kumander Inday.

Civic and religious groups suspect the groups are financed by people "with hidden agenda that benefit from a breakdown in peace and order.¨