Police have filed a string of criminal charges against a former government militiaman and 71 others, mostly members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), in connection with the raid in a local community in Basilan last month that left 12 people dead.

Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina, spokesman of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said the charges of multiple murder, multiple frustrated murder, robbery in band and arson were already forwarded to the Basilan Provincial Police Office.

“This case is an aftermath of the attack in Basilan that resulted in the death of 12 people, wounding of 13 others and burning of eight houses,” said Espina.

Named respondents were Dick Alaw and 11 of his relatives and a certain Talib Mutalib who allegedly led the members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who joined in the attack in Barangay Tubigan in Maluso town last February 27.

Espina said all those charged are still at large but are now being hunted down by joint police and military operatives in the jungles of Basilan.

Among those who died were four children who were trapped inside their homes burned by the attackers. Others were shot mercilessly.

Police investigators said it was Alaw who led the attack to avenge the death of his son, who was killed by a group of Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) members based in Barangay Tubigan.

Alaw, it was learned, used to be a member of the said CAFGU unit but was kicked out for his alleged involvement in criminal activities.

Witnesses said the the group of Alaw was backed up by at least 60 other armed men who are believed to be members of the MILF operating in the island province of Basilan.