RP drops charges against MILF rebels

RP drops charges against MILF rebels

PHILIPPINES: The Philippine government has dropped criminal charges against 185 Moro separatist guerrillas blamed for the bombing of an airport and wharf that killed 38 in the south last year, the military said on Thursday.

The Justice Department dismissed the case against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels last week in a bid to speed up peace talks, the military said.

Among those charged with murder and terrorism were Salamat Hashim, the former leader of the MILF who died last year, and senior leaders Mohammad Murad, Ghadzali Jaafar, Benjie Midtimbang and Eid Kabalu.

"The case has recently been dismissed by the Department of Justice when this (case against MILF) was elevated to their level, citing the primacy of the peace process," the military said in a written update on the status of peace talks.

It said the officials took into consideration independent reports by two commissions that showed a lack of incriminating evidence against the MILF members. --AFP