AJLPP
Mindanao Update
August 19, 2008

AJLPP Warns of US Intervention as Fighting Escalates in Mindanao

Los Angeles- The Alliance-Philippines (AJLPP) reiterates its call for the US-Arroyo regime and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to resume peace talks and go back to the negotiations in the light of heavy fighting in the south that displaced almost 210,000 people.

The AJLPP expressed deep concern the unseen hand of US intervention. News about US military forces helping AFP troops in their operations against the MILF is disconcerting. Some news sources that US personell are helping AFP troops n clearing land mines in Cotabato.

The recent prouncements of US Ambassador Kristie Kenney that feigns innocence over US involvement is also troubling. While at the same time she is commending the military offensives and the US-Arroyo actions against the MILF, she is offering US economic aid in rehabilitating MILF base area. A double edged sword and a double speak.

More than 210,000 War Refugees

More than 210,000 people were reportedly dislocatedin Northern and Central Mindanao due to the AFP and MILF fighting. As of the press time, another 44,000 people were again displaced in the current fighting in the two Lanao provinces and Saranggani due to the escalation of the conflict

The AJLPP expressed concern about the escalation of violence and fighting in the South as the President ordered the military to “defend every inch of the Philippine territory and condemns the treacherous and sneaky attacks by the MILF” in Mindanao. The AJLPP also condemns the military order of the AFP Chief of Staff General Alexander Yano to launch offensives against the MILF.

According to the AFP report, the MILF attacked five towns in Lanao Del Norte including some portions of Iligan City, Saranggani province near Davaoa and in the island of Basilan. The fighting has spread to seven provinces and islands in Mindanao

This came after MILF Spokesperson Eid Kabalu admitted that “ some MILF elements have expressed disappointment over the government betrayal. That the government is not serious about peace and are only repeating what they did to the MNLF to the MILF”. The MILF have ordered the pullout of their forces in Lanao provinces.

The AJLPP believes more people will suffer due to the ongoing war in Mindanao, which is more serious than the war in Georgia and Russia where more than 110,000 people were displaced. The AJLPP noticed the apparent lack of media coverage in the US media about the ongoing war in the Philippines.

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