SUSPECTED members of the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front yesterday raided the provincial jail of North Cotabato and rescued 46 inmates, including three suspects in a bombing in Kidapawan City four years ago.

Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro, AFP public information office chief, said the rebel group exploded an improvised explosive device at the back of the detention facility at around 1:30 a.m. to break open the jail’s concrete wall.

Bacarro said policemen guarding the detention center, which housed 789 prisoners, clashed with the rebels for at least 15 minutes but the lawmen were overpowered.

Sr. Supt. Federico L. Dulay Jr., Cotabato City chief of police, said the attackers numbering around 25 were armed with recoilless and assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades.

He said the attackers mounted the raid to free 14 "high value prisoners" who were involved in bomb attacks in the South in 2003.

"We received reports that the group commandeered a mini-bus hours after the raid and was believed to be headed to the rebels’ hideout in Liguasan marsh," he said.

MILF leaders denied any role in the raid, saying they were committed to the peace process and would not do such "foolish moves" to hurt an already shaky ceasefire and negotiations to end nearly 40 years of rebellion in the south.

"We’re definitely not involved," said Von al Haq, head of the MILF’s ceasefire panel. "We don’t rescue prisoners and we’re not going to take any risk and waste the gains of the peace talks."

Jailguard Reynaldo Aguino and jail trustee Joy Bustamante were hurt in the attack.

Bacarro said a manhunt is being conducted by the PNP and the Armed Forces.

Bacarro said among the inmates rescued by the alleged MILF rebels were Datu Ali Sultan, a Gido and one Mudos, who he said are facing charges in connection with a bombing in Kidapawan City in 2003.

But Bacarro could not say if the three are affiliated with the MILF, which is negotiating a peace accord with government.

"We are still verifying their affiliations. We are still waiting for the complete list (of those who escaped)," he said.

Asked what would be the effect on peace negotiations if those who rescued the inmates were indeed MILF members, Bacarro said a complaint will be filed before the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities.

Talks between the MILF and the government have been stalled since May amid disagreements over the size and wealth of a proposed homeland for about three million Muslims in the South.

Chief Supt. German Doria, Central Mindanao police director, said some of the escapees were Teng Madrudin and Faisal Mama, both charged with kidnapping; Mohammad Nor Hassan detained on drug charges; and Datu Ali Sultan, Kair Mundos, and Tokan Guindo, all facing multiple murder charges for the October 2003 Kidapawan City bombing.

North Cotabato Gov. Manny Piñol offered a P25,000 cash reward for the arrest of each escapee.

"I have ordered police to shoot these very dangerous people if they will resist arrest. They are better dead than a menace to our communities," he said.

PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Samuel D. Pagdilao Jr. said they are considering he transfer of other high-profile inmates to high-security facilities.