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| Southeast Asia |
| Police fear team-up of Sayyaf with MNLF |
| 2008-03-26 |
| The Moro National Liberation Front and the Abu Sayyaf group in Sulu appeared to have been joining forces to force the government into freeing MNLF chairman Nur Misuari, sources said yesterday. Misuari, former governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, is under house arrest in New Manila, Quezon City. He has been detained since 2002 in connection with rebellion charges filed against him and 11 of his followers. Sources in Camp Crame said that about 600 MNLF and Abu Sayyaf members had a meeting on March 18 at Barangay Tiis, Talipao, Sulu and discussed the release of Misuari. The meeting was attended by MNLF commanders Khaid Ajibon, chairman of the Lupah Sug Revolutionary Committee; Ustadz Khabir Malik, Tahil Sali, Ustadz Mahmor Gardan, Nidzmi Jabbar and Hadji Idjan Adam. ASG commanders Raddulan Sahiron, Albader Parad, Angah Adja, Sihata Latip and Sahid Susukan also attended the meeting. Police said the two secessionist groups brought with them 12 units of 60 millimeter and 81 MM mortars, two 90 and two 57 anti-tank/personnel recoilless rifles. MNLF commander Khaid Ajibon presided over the meeting in observance of the Bangsa Moro Day on March 18. Report from Sulu police office said that the MNLF and ASG had threatened to attack several targets in Sulu towns, particularly Patikul, Panamao, Maimbung and Talipao. ARMM police chief Joel Goltiao expressed disbelief that the MNLF plan would be joining the attack. It would be inconsistent with its intent to pursue implementation of the ceasefire agreement with the government and the continuance of the peace process, Goltiao said. He said that the regional police did not receive any report that the two groups jointly demanded MisuariÂ’s release. But Goltiao ordered police chiefs in ARMM to beef up their defenses and to take active security measures to thwart any attack. |
| Posted by:Fred |