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Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Military conducts selective attacks vs. MILF: report
By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY -- Military Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon has reportedly ordered a "selective attack" on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan.
The MILF, however, insists there is no such thing as a selective attack in Basilan, only an all-out offensive against the rebel group.
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Reports reaching Sun.Star Davao said Esperon already ordered the four Marine battalions in Basilan, along with the paramilitary groups, to conduct selective attacks aimed at those responsible for the death of 14 Marine soldiers last July 10.
MILF chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal, in a television interview Tuesday morning, said a selective attack is impossible.
MILF spokesman Edi Kabalu concurred with Iqbal’s statement, saying the entire Moro community in Basilan will be affected once the military launches an attack.
Esperon, in a text message, said a selective attack in Basilan is possible and they will implant it to give justice to the Marine soldiers who died in the attack by the MILF.
Kabalu said they have three brigades in Basilan out to fight the four Marine battalions, adding they are just waiting for the first shot to be fired by the military.
Even though the war has not yet started, thousands of villagers in Al-Barka town in Basilan have started fleeing their homes to avoid being caught in the middle of an impending war.
Authorities said at least 1,000 families have already evacuated from Barangay Guinanta in Al-Barka.
Evacuation centers have already been put up in nearby Tipo-Tipo municipality and other areas in the province.
The MILF on Monday said it is expecting "hell" to break loose after the separatist group snubbed a military-imposed deadline that lapsed last Sunday.
"Hell could let loose anytime now as the deadline for the MILF to turn over the 'beheaders' of the Marines expired at midnight Sunday," said the MILF in its website www.luwaran.com on Monday. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Bacolod. (July 25, 2007 issue)
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