Quote for the Week..

"Why are the country’s political leaders quick to act on amending the Constitution to change nationalistic provisions for the benefit of foreigners or to extend their terms of office but are allergic to amending the Constitution to address the people’s aspirations for self-determination?" - Marvic Leonen,Dean of the UP College of Law, in a keynote address delivered at the 1st International Solidarity Conference on Mindanao; March 16-18, 2009 in Davao City, Philippines.

======================================================

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

MILF on the move -- AFP

CAMP SIONGCO, Shariff Kabunsuan, Philippines -- The Moro Islamic Liberation Front has been provoking government troops in Central Mindanao the past few days amid a ceasefire agreement, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Lieutenant Colonel Julieto Ando, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, said MILF fighters had made their presence felt since four days ago in Saranggani, Maguindanao, Shariff Kabunsuan and North Cotabato.

On Saturday, Ando said, about 200 MILF fighters in full battle gear were sighted in the border towns of Midsayap in North Cotabato and Datu Piang in Maguindanao, forcing thousands of villagers to flee to the town centers.

“A brief firefight ensued when the MILF (men) attacked an army detachment in Barangay Rangaban, leaving a few MILF fighters wounded and probably killed on Saturday night,” Ando said.

“A heavy downpour forced the MILF to withdraw to the Datu Piang side,” he added.

Ando said the military had already filed a protest with the joint ceasefire panel. “Massing of troops is a violation of the ceasefire agreement,” he said. (Edwin O. Fernandez, Inquirer Mindanao)

No comments: