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| Southeast Asia |
| Military: MILF set up camps, planted landmines in Buliok |
| 2003-02-17 |
| MALACAÃANG yesterday justified the military assault on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Pikit, North Cotabato, saying the rebel group had set up camps and planted landmines in Buliok Complex, an MILF stronghold. According to Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Eduardo Ermita, government troops had discovered bunkers, landmines and running trenches in Buliok. âWhy would they place landmines if they do not expect trouble?â Ermita said. Because they're Islamists. They're into things that go "boom." Ermita explained that during talks with MILF leaders in 2001 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the reestablishment of camps was never discussed. But despite these violations, the government will still continue to talk peace with the separatist rebel group even if it announced it was backing out of the negotiations. Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio Bunye said the government has no intention of abandoning the peace "We can yack about it for years, in fact..." MILF spokesman Ustadz Eid Kabalu had said there was no use entering into a peace accord with a government who had no control over its military. It would seem to be more important that the government gain some control over rebellions, wouldn't it? But then, I'm not an Islamist, so I probably don't understand. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |