MILF REJECTS 'HOLY WAR' VS US: Muslim separatist rebels in the country
reject calls for a "holy war" against the United States and its allies, a
spokesman for the country's largest Islamic guerrilla group said yesterday.
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front had noted a call by the Taliban rulers of
Afghanistan for a "jihad" should US forces attack the country in the wake
of terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu
said.
The 12,500-member MILF has denounced the hijacking of four US planes used
as guided missiles that targeted the World Trade Center and the Pentagon,
killing an estimated 5,000 people.
On the other hand, Kabalu said the MILF is supporting any crackdown by the
US government if it is aimed at terrorists responsible for the attack and
as long as innocent civilians are not subjected to indiscriminate arrests.
"In fact, we even condemn the act of terrorism (at the World Trade Center
and Pentagon). We in the MILF support this campaign against these
terrorists," Kabalu said.
"But we hope this campaign will not victimize civilians who have nothing to
do with the attacks. As long as it is aimed at the terrorists, the MILF
will support this campaign," he said.
In the meantime, the spokesman said they are preoccupied with things closer
to home. Phil. Star, 09/17/2001
GOVERNMENT-MILF CLASHES INTENSIFY DESPITE TRUCE: Fighting between soldiers
and Muslim secessionist rebels intensified yesterday in Lanao del Norte
despite an existing truce between the two sides.
Reports reaching the Armed Forces' Southern Command (Southcom) headquarters
in Zamboanga City said the renewed hostility erupted in a remote village of
Poona Piagapo town.
Col. Jogy Leo Fojas, Southcom chief of staff, said about 50 heavily armed
guerrillas of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) attacked a patrol
team from the Army's 30th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Cadayonan,
Poona Piagapo late Friday night.
Fojas said a soldier, identified as Pfc. Taid Arip, was wounded in the
initial salvo unleashed by the rebels.
He said the troops retaliated, firing at least 12 rounds of 105-mm.
Howitzer shells.
In another skirmish, a trooper was killed while another was wounded when
MILF rebels attacked elements of the 26th IB in Munai town, also in Lanao
del Norte. Phil. Star, 09/09/2001
MNLF STILL HONORING PEACE PACT: The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)
assured Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. yesterday that it is not preparing for
war and continues to honor the peace agreement it forged with the
government in 1996.
MNLF chairman and Gov. Nur Misuari of the Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao made the assurance to De Venecia in Bangkok, Thailand where he
made a stopover on his way to the Middle East.
De Venecia is attending the 22nd general assembly of the ASEAN
Inter-Parliamentary Organization in Bangkok.
The "traitors" the MNLF head referred to are apparently the 15 MNLF
officials fighting his leadership who signed a unity agreement in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia last month with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Misuari believes the Arroyo administration is using those opposed to him to
edge him out of the MNLF leadership and the autonomous Muslim region.
Officials accompanying De Venecia said the MNLF chairman named Presidential
Adviser on Special Concerns Norberto Gonzales as behind this policy.
They quoted Misuari as urging the administration to abandon such policy,
claiming it's an "act of betrayal" of the peace agreement. Phil. Star,
09/07/2001
MILF'S SALAMAT SERIOUSLY ILL: COTABATO CITY – After decades of fighting for
a separate Muslim state in Mindanao, Hashim Salamat, the reclusive leader
of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), is ill and in need of medical
attention.
This was revealed by a highly placed source who, like the MILF chieftain,
is an Islamic theologian. The source said Salamat's illness has lately
shown signs of worsening.
Members of the military intelligence community here said they have been
receiving reports since last week of Salamat's illness, but could not
confirm the real condition of the MILF leader's health. Phil. Star,
09/02/2001
