MILF to help rescue trapped civilians in Marawi

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is open to President Duterte’s suggestion that it extend humanitarian assistance to Marawi City residents including rescuing civilians trapped in the crossfire or held hostage by Maute gunmen battling security forces.

The MILF, led by its chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, made the commitment during a meeting with Duterte Monday night here. The President called the meeting to discuss with the MILF the Marawi crisis and martial law in Mindanao, as well as the peace process. 

But the modalities or details of any arrangement for such assistance would still have to be discussed with the government. The Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCHs) would likely be tapped for the purpose of threshing out a mechanism for such assistance.

In the same meeting, Duterte also assured the main Muslim rebel group that he would lift martial law in Mindanao if and when it is no longer necessary.

“But as to when, he did not tell us. But he assured us he will lift it when it is no longer needed,” MILF vice chair for political affairs Ghazali Jaafar told The STAR Monday night.

The President also assured the MILF leaders that the martial law declaration was meant to eliminate the Maute group and not the MILF or any other rebel groups like the Moro National Liberation Front or the New People’s Army.  –  With Roel Pareño, Christina Mendez, Perseus Echeminada