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| Southeast Asia |
| MILF accuse Philippine military amid peace talks |
| 2012-10-06 |
| On Friday, Muslim rebels said the military had provocatively violated a ceasefire while peace negotiators held crucial negotiations. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) made the accusation amid talks in Malaysia that could lead to the imminent signing of a roadmap to end the insurgency. The MILF said the Philippine Marines had deployed more than 100 troops near Palimbang, a town on the southern Muslim homeland on Mindanao island where rebel troops were stationed, calling the move "provocative". A statement on its website said, "These troops of marines are not respecting and violating the ceasefire accord and the primacy of the peace process between the government and the MILF." According to the statement, the troops arrived on Tuesday, the same day that the Malaysia talks began. It said, "We can not understand why they are doing it deliberately... while the talks are ongoing. It is only the government to blame when firefight erupts." The military said it had moved troops into the area, but denied it had broken the ceasefire. The marine unit's commander, Colonel Alexander Balutan, said they were enforcing arrest warrants against "lawless elements" - none of them MILF members - who had illegally cut down trees in Palimbang. Balutan said, "We have been directed by no less than (President Benigno Aquino) to conduct anti-illegal logging operations. I am not targeting the MILF nor any of their camps. They have no camps in the area." This latest round of peace talks are expected to wrap up this weekend. |
| Posted by:ryuge |
| #1 And once again, Virgina, we learn what happens when trees attack. |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2012-10-06 00:14 |