Two factions of the Moro Islamic Liberation (MILF) clashed in Maguindanao on Monday reportedly because of differences over ongoing peace negotiations with the government, the military said yesterday.
| This'd be that "extremist faction" that we keep hearing about ... |
Lt. Col. Daniel Lucero, AFP public information chief, said the hostilities were started by an MILF faction, led by one Commander Talio Silongan, which is opposed to negotiations.
| If that's the case, then Silongan would be the likely man to talk to about the JI presence in Mindanao. What's Eid Kabalu have to say about all this? |
Lucero said the clash between the 40-man group of Silongan and the pro-peace talks group led by Commander Gerry Dangian Mastura left one wounded, Wahad Guimadel, on the Mastura side.
| I thought that MILF had a chairman and a semi-official ruling council - where do they stand on all of this? |
There were an undetermined number of casualties on the side of Silongan, the military said.
| Nice to know he got the worst of it ... |
Silongan, who carries the alias Badrudin and heads the 104th Brigade of the MILF's Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, has been linked by the military to terrorist attacks.
"The MILF faction that is against the ongoing peace talks is being blamed for coddling members of the Jemaah Islamiah and Pentagon Gang in Central Mindanao," Lucero said.
| No surprise there. I'd also bet that Silongan's the contact with the northern commies as well. Check his bank accounts for Saudi cash and you won't be disappointed. |
Silongan's group is also blamed for last December's kidnapping of Cotabato City businessman Norman Sia, for whom the kidnappers are demanding a P10 million ransom.
| Not exactly the kind of thing that "freedom fighters" are supposed to engage in, is it? My guess is that Silongan's gunnies are still holding the guy. |
An MILF spokesman, meanwhile, accused the United States of meddling in the negotiations.
| Of course! It has nothing to do with MILF's penchant for killing people ... |
"If the United States classifies the MILF as a terrorist organization, then so be it. It is their own lookout not ours. We have not killed any American or attacked US interests," Eid Kabalu said.
| "We do, however, harbor and train the people who do ..." |
US charge d' affaires Joseph Mussomeli said the MILF should conclude an agreement with the Arroyo government soon or risk being included in its list of foreign terrorist organizations.
| Where they should have been from Day 1. If they want to go legit and start disarming, then they can get off it the same way the IRA did. |
Kabalu said the MILF is not a terrorist organization. "We are a legitimate organization with a legitimate cause. The MILF and the Bangsamoro people can live without the Americans," he said.
| Do keep in mind, Eid, that the reverse is also true. Particularly in the case of the former ... |
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