Fighting Continues in South Philippines

ANCHOR:
And fighting and unrest is still a problem in the south of the Philippines. Muslim rebels are still mounting attacks against soldiers and setting fire to houses on Mindanao island. Let's take a look.

STORY:
The Philippines president is ordering troops to clear out Muslim rebels. They are occupying several towns after attacks forced hundreds of people to flee.

The new wave of raids came only days after government troops stopped their fierce offensive against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front or MILF rebels.

Local media says at least 16 civilian have died during the attacks. Some of the victims were found hacked by machetes.

The country's president condemns the attacks.

[Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Philippine President]:
"Because of these sneaky and treacherous attacks, as your commander-in-chief, I have ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to defend every inch of Philippine territory against MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) forces and immediately restore peace in the affected areas in Lanao del Norte. We will not tolerate and we will crush any attempt to disturb peace and development in Mindanao."

One resident says hundreds of people are fleeing just one of many coastal towns. There only means of escape is by boat. The main road is blocked by fighting between locals and the rebels.

But the MILF has distanced itself from the latest attacks. They say that their leadership has not sanctioned them.

A Supreme Court decision earlier this month halted a territorial deal between the MILF and Manila. A deal that was meant to re-open formal peace talks to end the decade-old conflict.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• ntd
• south
• philippine
• muslim
• rebels
• attack
• MILF
• Moro
• Islamic
• Liberation
• Front

[IqraamHasan]

The Alliance of Mindanao Muslims STRONGLY REJECTS MILFs FALSE JIHAD. MILF is against the teachings of Prophet Muhammad. MILFs selfish aspiration is a shame to all Muslims and Islam. Together with other Muslims who DISLIKE the MILFs DECEPTION we can make Mindanao a better place. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! ALLAHU AKBAR!

[flipo25rid]

The next generation of Moro fighters are already being shaped.If poverty, corruption, lack of employment and education opportunity continues,expect these POOR kids to join MILF.There's another problem of fanatical groups in both our communities.We must work with those who want to sort it out sincerely without the use of guns and bombs.Peace loving muslims and christians unite, stop discrimantion let's treat each other equally. thanks po..

[kidasterorig111]

The Milf and other groups are just making things worse. Without the gov't spending money to fight them the extra money could just have been used for humanitarian goals.

[2222sun]

hahahahahaha funny

[TheMuslimJesus]

there is disarmament- its publicly accepted by the Moro leaders

as confidence grows by succesful socio economic programs

you didnt not know?

your not helping by your ignorance that is being spread

[Flipsify]

If the MILF central command can convince the general Moro population to lay down their arms and their commanders on the ground so it can easily be confiscated by the AFP to show they are committed to peace, I personally would approve the signing MOA-AD.

This is a difficult task to achieve because having weapons is a part Moro's culture. They feel anxious or powerless without weapons in their possession.

For the sake of peace and humanity, DISARMAMENT should be pursued in the agreement.

[TheMuslimJesus]

thats why all of us must grab oppurtunity of Peace being discussed in the present TALKS/DIALOGUE

lets show them that TALKING produce better results than force

all of us should support FINALIZATION & IMPLEMENTATION of this TALKS

no to Peace Destroyers/Derailers like Pinol/Lobregat/Mar Roxas/Ayala/Araneta & family

[joe69rocket]

of course not all muslims are terrorists! i never said there were! but what i really hate is that so many terrorists commit awful acts of violence towards other humans then claim religion as an excuse to hurt others. its sick man. its sick!

[bacaca88]

You also describe place like US where black peoples were denied rights and persecuted in your recent 'young' history.

Thanks for your concern though.

[bacaca88]

Further, Moro people simply do not want to fight with GRP and do not bring this problem outside of their ancestral domain - where they are being displaced by mining companies, settlers, etc - supported by GRP and developed nations.

You can check on attacks that Moros have made in UK, US, Europe, Manila or other places.

Moro simply want to protect their ancestral domain and their rights (sound familiar viz your US Constitution??).

I think you can bear arms and protect your place in US if needs

[bacaca88]

The Government Republic of Philippines have NEVER ratified/stood by ALL previous internationally recognised peace agreements because their US allies (as then) were more interested in fostering relationships with Presidents like Marcos and Estrada who gave the US strategic bases/'fought' communism (when you were scared of communists).

Now you get 'Muslim terrorism' thrown down your throat for same reasons - power.

Realise US, UK and others are just/more violent in many ways.

[TheMuslimJesus]

i respect ur points- but u have old info in terms of the recent peace proposals

the Moro has compromised on Independence IF the Bangsamoro Judirical Entity (BJE) will be given a try to work

Its an Autonomy/Federal concept- not Separation & even not whole Mindanao- only Moro dominated areas

problem is even that Compromise was being denied approval by Settler politicians in Mindanao scared of losing some 'centavos'

so they choose to DERAIL ongoing talks as we speak