Tuesday, August 07, 2007 MILF hits food blockade as gov't prepares for war By Ben O. Tesiorna
THE Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) raised howl over the alleged food blockade implemented by the military in Basilan as the possibility of a full-blown military action still looms.
MILF peace panel secretariat head Jun Mantawil accused Brigadier General Juancho Sabban, Task Force Thunder chief, of implementing a food blockade in Basilan as he warned that such a move would greatly put the lives of thousands of civilians in danger.
The MILF said the food blockade is also a violation of the human rights and should be lifted immediately.
"You cannot kill the Abu Sayyaf Group by this food blockade because they can get food everywhere," Mantawil said in a report posted at the MILF's website, luwaran.com Monday.
"The civilians are the victims here. It is an unethical approach," he added.
There are an estimated 12,000 people that fled their homes in several villages in Al-Barka for fear of being caught in the crossfire.
The government has already stepped up preparations for a mass evacuation of people -- including possibly housing them even in cockpits once the war breaks out in Basilan.
Frontline relief agencies met in Zamboanga City Monday to discuss contingency measures. It is expected that once the Basilan conflict starts, other areas in Mindanao will also be affected as in the past conflicts between the AFP and the MILF.
