Moro rebels launch own campaign against illegal drugs

MAGUINDANAO - Thirty-five alleged drug users and pushers are under the custody of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front-Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (MILF-BIAF) after the group launched Task Force Shabu, the MILF's own anti-illegal drugs campaign.

"We have already prepared for this (anti-illegal drugs campaign) long before President Rodrigo Duterte became president. It's good that he wants the same thing," MILF spokesperson Von Alhaq said.

Alhaq said Task Force Shabu members are going house-to-house to ask drug-tainted MILF members to surrender.

"They usually come with us peacefully, but some go back to their old ways afterwards," Alhaq said.

Alhaq said the MILF has its own list of illegal drug pushers and peddlers, and intends to conduct more anti-narcotics operations in several towns in Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao.

The MILF underscored that it is important for the organization to wage a campaign against narcotics as illegal drugs and substances are also considered "haram" or forbidden in Islam.