Protest against attack
ZAMBOANGA CITY � A bombing attack on the offices of the Philippines off-grid energy authority has been laid at the door of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, told the MILF to stop denying and instead �back up their words with action� and distance themselves from the terrorists.
�The evidence gathered by the police in the bombing �.. pointed to MILF� Allaga said.
The explosion occurred while dozens of civilians, waiting for a free C-130 plane ride to Manila, were outside the building that housed the USAID-funded Alliance for Mindanao Off-Grid Renewable Energy (AMORE).
Eid Kabalu, MILF chief for civil-military affairs, said while they condemned the bombing, they also vehemently denied allegations that the MILF was behind the attack.
Kabalu said the local police chief should have not come up with conclusions before the final results of the investigation were released.
Kabalu said under the ceasefire agreement the MILF can assist authorities in interdicting or arresting suspects who violate laws.
�The MILF is willing and ready to cooperate with the government through the existing ceasefire agreement,� Kabalu said.
The military earlier filed a ceasefire protest and demanded that the MILF remove from its ranks their commanders in Basilan who were responsible for the attacks.
The MILF though said it is ready to assist government forces in tracking down and identifying those behind the bomb attack outside the Andrews Air Force Base, but cautioned police and military officials to refrain from accusing its members for the deadly Thursday attack.