Gov’t may use peace pact, law to charge MILF — De Lima

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. Facebook photo

MANILA — Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said the failure of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to notify the government of the presence of criminals in their Order of Battle or list is a violation of their peace agreement with the government.

De Lima said that this may be used by  the government to enforce the law against constituted criminal offenses such as “knowingly harboring a criminal, assisting or obstructing law enforcement operations for his arrest … and aiding in escape of targets.”

But if there were extenuating and justifying circumstances, De Lima said that the MILF could still be exempted from criminal liability from the said offenses.

The justice secretary, however, did not explained the circumstances as she might be accused of “preempting the investigation or lawyering for any side.”

She also affirmed with Sen. Francis Escudero who clarified the fact that there will not be any hindrance to the State’s right to file a case against the MILF.

De Lima even said that the government can charge murder and other offenses against the MILF for their involvement during the Mamasapano encounter which killed 44 police commandos.