Alan Cayetano: MILF commander coddled Marwan
MANILA, Philippines – Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano identified on Wednesday one of the commanders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who was allegedly helping and protecting Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan.”
Marwan was killed during the Mamasapano operation last January 25 that also left 44 elite policemen dead.
In a privilege speech, Cayetano pointed to Commander Wahid Tundok of the 118th Base Command of the MILF as the one who allegedly assisted and protected Marwan.
“Sino po ba si Commander Wahid Tundok? Si Commander Wahid Tundok ang isa sa mga pinaka senior at batikang mandirigma ng MILF, sya ay merong patong-patong na kaso. multiple murder, arson robbery at iba’t iba pang krimen. Si Commander Wahid Tundok ay commander ng 118th Base Command MILF,” the senator said.
He said Tundok was arrested by the police on February 23, 2014 but was released three days after supposedly because of the efforts of the government peace panel.
“Si Commander Tundok din at ang kanyang mga tauhan ang isa sa initial sa suspect na kasama sa nagmasaker ng ating gallant SAF (Special Action Force) 44 na kitang kita na ang 118th Battalion ang isa mga grupong nandun sa area kung saan minasaker ang ating brave 44,” Cayetano said.
Article continues after this advertisementThis was contrary, he said, to the claim of Secretary Teresita Deles, presidential adviser on the peace process, and chief peace negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer that Tuldok was the one who reported the Mamasapano “misencounter” and brokered the ceasefire between the SAF members and unidentified armed men.
Article continues after this advertisementIf indeed it was true, Cayetano then asked why Tundok refused to be interviewed by the Board of Inquiry of the Philippine National Police, which probed the incident.
“Bakit po? Ano ang dahilan? May mga katanungan na hindi masasagot ni Commander Tundok, halimbawa, sino ang sumusuporta at tumutulong at pomoprotekta sa teroristang alias Marwan? Hindi ito masasagot ni Commander Tundok dahil sya mismo ang isa sa mga MILF commanders na tumutulong at pomoprotekta kay Marwan,” he said.
The senator then pointed out the exchange of emails between Marwan and his brother that he earlier released to the media supposedly showing the terrorist ties with the MILF.
“Dito din sa mga email na ito nakita na si Commander Wahid Tundok mismo ang protector ni Marwan,” he said.
Cayetano then enumerated the specific emails , which supposedly proved his allegations.
One email , he said, showed that Tundok was the one informing Marwan of the sources of purchase of weapons while another email purportedly showed that he was the one who was also telling Marwan to be on high alert and “not to sleep because soldiers were planning to attack.”
The exchange of emails was part of a 32-page indictment of the U.S. District Court in California against Marwan and his brother, Rahmat Abdhir, in 2007.
