THE ABU Sayyaf warned the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) against pursuing peace talks with the government, as they vowed to press on with the fight to establish an independent Islamic state in Mindanao. "To our brothers in the MILF don't waive our nation's honor, dignity, and right even in exchange for the whole world," Abu Solaiman said in a statement he read over GMA Network's radio station dzBB. "No amount of development can pay for our homeland's illegal and immoral occupation or annexation," Solaiman, the group's spokesman, said.
Solaiman enjoined the remaining members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to continue the struggle against "enemies of Islam." "Continue the struggle until we attain either of the two -- victory or martyrdom," Solaiman said.
| I'll take "martyrdom" for $500, Alex |
Peace talks between the government and the MILF are set to resume in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this February. Officials said the agenda includes the "ancestral domain" of the rebels.
| They're going to bring up Saudi Arabia? |
Solaiman said the "enemies of Islam" were out to sow division in the MILF, but he said this would work to the Abu Sayyaf's advantage. "They would only be successful in differentiating those within their ranks who prefer to sell their honor, dignity, and right for a measly sum from those noble and brave brothers like those in Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao who chose to fight it out to protect Islam," he said. "The Mindanao equation has developed into a clearer picture, much to our advantage," he said. Solaiman said recent attacks on military installations in Sulu Island by Misuari supporters and Abu Sayyaf members were meant to protest the government's "treacherous ways" in dealing with the MILF. | Sounds like Abu Sayyaf is getting worried the MILF is going to sell them out. |
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