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| Southeast Asia |
| MILF prepared for peace, development, and war |
| 2002-11-05 |
| Luwaran/Ummahnews An official of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which is fighting for self-determination in the southern Muslim heartlands of the Philippines, said yesterday that the MILF was preparing for war as much as for peace and development in Mindanao. Maybe more, you betcha! Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, vice chairman of the organisation, said if the government troops continue to launch aggressive military campaign in many parts of Mindanao, an escalation of the armed hostilities to a full-blown war is not a remote possibility. "If that situation happened the MILF should not be blamed. Our forces are religiously observing the General Cessation of Hostilities of 1997 and the Kuala Lumpur Security Accord of 2001 entered into between the MILF and the GRP." They're maintaining an armed gang in opposition to the country's government, and they can't be held responsible for their own actions... He accused the AFP [Philippine Armed Forces - Ed] of conducting military operations in the guise of pursuing criminals. However, under the current ceasefire agreement, he stressed, police and military actions against criminals shall continue throughout Mindanao, provided prior coordination with MILF officers and commanders in the area should be undertaken in order to avoid confrontations. "But this has never been done and is being continuously violated," he added. Often when the crooks are MILF members, we might add... Since the signing of the Tripoli Agreement last year, which provided, among others the strengthening of the ceasefire, the MILF has been observing this truce religiously. Cutting people's heads off is part of their religion... The Philippine army has however intensified its military offensive against the MILF since last month in various parts of Mindanao. "Despite this war situation, the MILF is busying itself to invite donors for the development of the region as the alternative to war and bloodshed," said Murad. Those donors... Would they happen to be Arabians? |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |