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Monday, June 02, 2008
AFP told: MILF, Abu Sayyaf are separate groups
DAVAO CITY -- The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) lashed back at the military, saying the MILF and Al-Qaeda linked Abu Sayyaf are two separate groups.
This statement came after the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) implicated the MILF in the latest Zamboanga airbase bombing, which killed two and wounded 25 others.
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Government soldiers earlier said the attack across the gate one of Col. Edwin Andrews Air Base (EAAB) in Sta. Maria Village last May 29 was perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf and MILF's special operations group.
The military officials even urged the MILF "to dissociate itself from the Abu Sayyaf and other terrorist groups suspected of being behind the recent bombing and attacks on the military."
Lieutenant General Nelson Allaga, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, told the MILF to stop denying and instead "back up (its) words with action" and distance itself from the terrorists.
In his reply, Khaled Musa, deputy chair for the MILF committee on information, said there is no need for the military to remind the MILF about its obligation, pointing out that the group does not see eye to eye with the Abu Sayyaf in pursuing its objectives.
In a report posted at www.luwaran.com, the MILF reminded AFP that, "the MILF and the Abu Sayyaf are two distinct and separate groups."
Musa said the MILF is a legitimate Islamic revolutionary organization with a clear political agenda, which is to act as vanguard in the Bangsamoro people's just struggle for freedom and right to self-determination.
The MILF, he continued, follows the rules of engagement in Islam and observes the various Geneva Conventions, particularly Protocol 1 and 2.
He also explained the differences between the MILF and the Abu Sayyaf, which according to him lie in their methods of achieving their objective, political or military.
Musa said the Abu Sayyaf militant group resorts to kidnapping, bombing of even civilian targets, and anti-Christian activities, while the MILF does not use or condone such activities.
He stressed that the Abu Sayyaf has been deeply penetrated by military assets, who contributed largely to the degeneration or falling out of the group, for it to be a true organization seeking justice for the Bangsamoro people or Muslims, citing Edwin Angeles as an example.
Angeles, who was assassinated after Khaddafi's death, was a military asset.
"Most of the so-called Abu Sayyaf bandits in Basilan and Sulu who are fighting the military are plain armed civilians who are out to seek revenge against government troops for the various killings and summary executions committed against them," Musa disclosed. (BOT/Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex/With PR)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pampanga. (June 2, 2008 issue)
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