MNLF-Sema faction denies sheltering Bato dela Rosa

COTABATO CITY — The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) faction chaired by Muslimin Sema has denied that the group is protecting Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague over the deadly war on drugs during the Duterte administration.

In a statement entitled “The MNLF is not cuddling (sic) Senator Bato,” the MNLF Information Committee said there is “no established formal relationship” between the senator and the MNLF.

The statement was posted on the Facebook page of the Office of the MNLF Chairman Muslimin Sema, former Cotabato City mayor and former Minister of Labor and Employment during the Bangsamoro transition government that ended on October 30.

Article continues after this advertisement

The statement said speculation about the MNLF coddling the senator arose from reports that Dela Rosa may be hiding with a “powerful armed group” in Mindanao.

“The claim that the MNLF may be protecting him is speculation, not a confirmed fact,” it said.