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| Southeast Asia |
| Abu-MILF reported merger |
| 2008-12-14 |
| The military intends to raise before the "proper channels" the reported merger between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Abu Sayyaf group in Basilan, Military Chief of Staff General Alexander Yano said Wednesday. In an interview during the closing ceremonies of the 18th ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet (AARM) in Camp O'Donnel in Capas, Tarlac, Yano said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines has received "raw reports" of the Moro groups' union in Basilan and that they were investigating the matter. He said the issue will be raised before the Joint Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (JCCH). "We will expect they'll have to do something about it, there are mechanisms on the ground that should work," Yano said without giving details. The JCCH is the monitoring team composed of representatives from the Philippine government and the MILF. It is tasked to oversee the standing ceasefire agreement between the two parties. Earlier, Marine Commandant Major General Ben Dolorfino said they believed the Abu Sayyaf extremists who fled to MILF territories were being coddled by elements of the MILF 114th base command in Basilan. He said that after a day-long gunbattle in Albarka town in Basilan Sunday between Marines forces and Abu Sayyaf extremists, the Al-Qaeda-linked group was allegedly reinforced by an undetermined number of MILF rebels. Five soldiers were killed while 24 others were wounded during the clash. But Yano said the military had the "upper hand" in the recent clashes in Basilan. "Although we suffered some casualties, we are able to inflict considerable damage to the Abu Sayyaf and related groups," Yano said. Military reported that some 50 Abu Sayyaf and MILF rebels were killed during the encounter in Albarka. This was denied by the MILF, saying that only three of their men were killed, including a sub-commander. Despite the clashes, Yano said he saw no need to deploy additional forces in the province. "I have talked to the commanders on the ground, there is no need, we have enough forces in the area," Yano said, even as he said troops in the Zamboanga Peninsula could be deployed in Basilan when the need arises. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 The ASG has always worked as the extreme arm of the MILF. Yano, a solid officer, has always known this. Parouk Hussain, MNLF, Hashim Salamat, MILF, and Janjalani, ASG, were all taking orders from their Middle Eastern leaders and working together. The MNLF over the last ten years has worked the political side to deteriorate the will of Manila's leaders and grow the ARMM. The MILF continues to sew the seeds of civil war at the community level, and the ASG terrorize the communities and civil leaders. ItÂ’s a team effort on three fronts. |
| Posted by: 49 Pan 2008-12-14 13:37 |