Muslim separatist rebels in the southern Philippines opened their main training camp yesterday to foreign diplomats and vowed to hunt down militants on a government wanted-list as a sign of goodwill ahead of peace talks with Manila. Tens of thousands of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) A sea of colorful tents and umbrellas shielded Muslim men and women in colourful traditional attire as they squatted to listen to Murad speak. "Today is the day we can tell the Bangsamoro (Muslim) people and all peace loving people or our homeland that just, honorable and lasting peace is partly at hand," Murad told the gathering, the biggest public showing of the rebel group since government forces routed their main base in 2000. He said it was possible to "solve seemingly irreconcilable issues as long as negotiating parties approach the table with an open mind and sincerity". While MILF fighters were prepared to die for their cause, Murad said his group was "very much opposed to any form of terrorism" which he said was "incompatible" with the group's struggle to bring economic and political development to the poor areas of Mindanao.
Murad's statement came after MILF spokesman Eid "Lipless Eddie" Kabalu said the MILF had agreed to hunt down 53 militants as part of an agreement in 2002 to interdict or arrest terrorist elements in their areas. "We have a list of criminal elements the government has submitted to us to be apprehended," he told reporters late Sunday. MILF officials were now "validating" the list, which includes the names of renegade Muslim rebels with possible links to Jemaah Islamiya (JI) as well as Khadaffy Janjalani, leader of the Abu Sayyaf.