DAVAO CITY -- The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is giving its renegade commander Ameril Umra Kato two more weeks to make up his mind whether to finally cut ties with the group or go back to their folds.
The two-week deadline came upon the recommendation of the Ulama Council that earlier declared Kato and his followers as "bughaat" or one who goes against the authority.
The Ulama Council met last September 10 to determine what best course of action it would recommend to the MILF Central Committee to address Kato's case.
The MILF Central Committee said if ever Kato refuses to go back to the control of the MILF after the deadline, he would be declared outside of the coverage of the peace process and the ceasefire.
Von Al Haq, MILF military spokesman, said they are urging Kato during the two-week period to meet with MILF chairman Al Haj Murad and settle whatever misunderstanding he has with the group.
He said the two-week deadline given by the council will allow Kato to rethink his position of forming a rogue faction that will rebel against the government.
The spokesman said if Kato, who has an 82-count criminal cases filed against him, no longer decides to return to the MILF, he will be on his own.
Kato carries a P10 million bounty on his head. The MILF deadline would lapse on September 26.
On Wednesday, Kato's Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (Biff) attacked MILF rebels in Maguindanao.
The Biff rebels were headed by Kassan Indal, while the MILF's 106th Base Command was under a certain Commander Kolmet. The firefight happened in Sitio Patiwali, Barangay Ganta in the town of Shariff Saydona Mustapha.
Four rebels died while five more were wounded from the said battle. Government troops are closely monitoring the clash between the two rebel groups. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)