Tuesday, January 29, 2008 MILF denies having foreign members By Ben O. Tesiorna
THE Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) denied reports that they have foreign members as alleged by a Reuters report regarding the release of six suspected Islamic militants in Singapore.
In a report posted at www.luwaran.com, MILF deputy chair for the committee on information Khaled Musa said their organization is "a local organization in Mindanao purely composed of Moros" and with no foreign members.
Musa rued the apparent attempt to get the MILF on board the global war on terrorism with Singapore. He did not deny though that they have foreign sympathizers in their cause.
"Who are we to refuse sympathy even support for our cause," Musa said.
The Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs, in a statement, said six militants were freed sometime between December and January this year. One of the militants is said to be a member of the MILF.
It was not clear in the statement though as to what nationality are the six militants. The six are said to have links with Osama Bin Laden.
The six were reportedly released for their cooperation in the Singaporean government's investigation.
