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Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Military uncovers plot to disrupt Palaro
By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY -- The military said it has uncovered a plot allegedly by a Moro group to disrupt the ongoing Palarong Pambansa (national games) in Koronadal City in South Cotabato.
Military sources said intelligence reports indicated that 43 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) elite forces and special operations group were allegedly planning to conduct bombings at the venue of the games, which will run until April 28.
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The 43 reportedly graduated recently from explosives training conducted in Sultan Sa Barongis in Maguindanao.
MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu immediately denied the report, saying "there is no truth or basis" to it.
According to military sources, the MILF members who are allegedly involved in the planning are Gapor Macmod, Anwar Nawal, Abusama Ipang, Kite Lidasan, Ebang Lebong, Ustadz Kundri Sandalan, Ustadz Mhadi Abdulmaula, Basco Kaladuyang, Ting Ibrahim, Blanco Acoy, and Tankia Daud.
In the wake of this development, Eastern Mindanao Command chief General Rodolfo Obaniana immediately directed the Army's 6th Infantry Division to coordinate with the police to secure the Palaro venue to prevent outbreak of violence.
He also ordered the Army based in the area to tighten security not only in Koronadal City but also in 11 other major cities in eastern Mindanao.
On Sunday, an explosion in the town of Midsayap in North Cotabato wounded a woman.
But the Army said it was not the handiwork of terrorists but a case involving a personal grudge.
The explosion happened following US and Australian warnings of possible terrorist attacks in the country especially in Mindanao.
The US and Australian embassies released Friday a travel advisory warning their citizens of possible terrorist attacks in Mindanao, and advised their citizens against traveling to the southern Philippines.
Government troops in Mindanao have been on alert for a spillover of ongoing military offensives against the al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group and another Muslim group, a Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) faction led by Commander Habier Malik.
The Midsayap blast is the second explosion in Central Mindanao in five days.
Last Wednesday, a bomb also exploded in Cotabato City. The person carrying the bomb was killed after it reportedly went off prematurely. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pangasinan. (April 25, 2007 issue)
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