MANILA, Philippines - The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) backed Saturday a proposal to arm civilians in Midsayap town in North Cotabato, saying it is a "legitimate human right to defend oneself."
But MILF secretariat chairman Muhammad Ameen said the firearms should not be used to assault other people, including relatives of suspected MILF guerrillas who "stray" into settlers' communities.
"The proposal is just to add legitimacy to has been tolerated long time ago by the government and the military," he said in a statement posted Saturday evening on the MILF Web site .
Ameen added said there is nothing unusual on this, saying that there is proliferation of loose firearms among non-Moros who claim they are paramilitary forces.
He said this is an open secret in North Cotabato, especially in areas controlled by Cotabato Vice Governor Emmanuel Piñol. - GMANews.TV