Philippines frees top Muslim rebel to keep peace deal on track

The Philippine government has freed a top Muslim rebel whose recent arrest had threatened to jeopardise a peace deal to end one of Asia’s longest running insurgencies, both sides said on Wednesday.

Wahid Tundok and his armed bodyguards were detained at a government checkpoint near the southern city of Cotabato on Sunday ahead of a peace deal with the 12,000-member Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) expected within weeks.

Government as well as MILF negotiators swiftly criticised the arrest of Tundok, described by the military as a “high-value target” facing criminal charges including arson. The rebels had suggested it could be a deal-breaker.

“He is now in good hands,” MILF chief for political affairs Ghazali Jaafar said on Wednesday but declined to give further details.

“We are happy at the development.”

Jaafar and other senior MILF leaders say Tundok is a ranking rebel commander covered by an immunity guarantee from the government.