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| Southeast Asia |
| Philippines military operation in Muslim south left hundreds homeless |
| 2003-01-04 |
| Luwaran The massive military operations conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines [AFP] in Datu Piang, Maguindanao from December 29, 2002 to January 1, this year have left about 100 houses razed to the ground. Civilians, who fled with little belongings, told reporters that Army soldiers and their allied paramilitary forces committed wanton human rights violation contrary to their avowed mandate to protect the life and property of the people at all times even during war. Killing, or summary execution, rape, arson, pillaging and looting were the order of the day, they said. Sounds suspiciously like a MILF press release... Most of the houses razed to the ground were located in the villages of Nimao, Kinudal, Alonganen, Tee, Andavit, and Buligan, all of the municipality of Datu Piang. Report said the destruction of properties were in direct reprisal for the killing of Mayor Saudi Ampatuan and 17 of his hard-core followers and supporters. The AFP blamed the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for the fatal bombing, singling out Commander Rambo as the mastermind. "Commander Rambo"? I love these aliases. They're more imaginative that "Abu Ali". Not much more, but more. He and Commander Robot probably get together for drinks and to impress the local turban chicks. But the MILF has deplored the government's accusation saying it violated a Security Accord signed on August 7, 2001 at Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. But then, so does planting bombs and assassinating people. Guess it works out even, doesn't it? Or does it lead to a cycle of violence? I forget... |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |