MILF seeks release of insurgents

COTABATO CITY - At least 130 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels remain in jail amid the upcoming peace talks between Philippine government and the Front in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, next month.

MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said Sunday the rebels are held in police and military detention centers in Mindanao and Metro Manila since the government launched a crackdown on alleged terrorists and kidnappers.

Kabalu said the detainees were labeled as “terrorists” or criminals despite the absence of evidence.

“Those without sufficient evidence were “planted” with evidence of terrorist activities to justify their continued incarceration in government’s detention centers,” Kabalu said.

He said the Front hopes the men would be released.

MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said the peace talks would resume after the end of Muslims annual fasting on November 15.