At least 12 more foreigners believed to have links with the al-Qaida terrorist network are hunted in Central Mindanao in the southern Philippines following the recent arrest of an alleged network member, the military said Monday. Military intelligence continues to receive reports that the foreigners are still conducting training operations in remote villages in Central Mindanao, Armed Forces chief of staff General Narciso Abaya told reporters, adding that, however, the number has "decreased significantly" in the last five years. "As late as this year, we still continue to receive reports that training is (being) conducted in rebel camps in Mindanao, particularly in (Central) Mindanao," Abaya said. He said Egyptian Hassan Bakre, who was arrested on Wednesday in the southern Philippine province of Maguidanao, named his companions during interrogation after his arrest. The names of the 12 foreigners -- seven Indonesians and five Egyptians -- were not disclosed. However, the discovery of the link would not affect the forthcoming peace negotiations between the government and the MILF, Abaya said. "This will be a part of the talks but we have raised this issue with the (Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities)," he said. Abaya noted the possibility that MILF members who oppose the peace talks might be protecting the foreign terrorists being hunted by the Armed Forces. | Or it might be the guys you're having peace talks with. |
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