|
ZAMBOANGA CITY: Muslim rebels engaged in peace talks with Manila on
Thursday warned that the presence of military forces near their
camps could spark fighting in the southern island of Basilan.
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said
more government soldiers have been spotted near rebel camps in the
hinterlands of Tipo-Tipo and Al-Barka towns, scenes of previous
clashes between guerrilla and security forces.
Both areas are also known strongholds of the
MILF, the country’s largest Muslim rebel group fighting for
independence in southern Philippines. Some 500 marines are also on
their way to Basilan from Manila and expected to arrive this week to
augment thousands already deployed on the island, where rebels and
soldiers clashed last week.
“The presence of government soldiers near MILF
areas is a provocative act and could spark clashes if troops
encroach in our places,” said Mohagher Iqbal, chief MILF peace
negotiator.
He said the military failed to coordinate the
movement of the soldiers, which is a violation of the truce
agreement.
-- Al Jacinto
|
