Posted on 03/20/2002 11:43:17 AM PST by knighthawk
JAKARTA, March 20 (IslamOnline) - The Chinese embassy in Manila assured the Philippine authorities Tuesday that Beijing is not funding leftwing groups or Muslim insurgents in Mindanao, as the U.S. prepared to send five hundred more troops from the U.S. Army’s 101st (Airborne) Infantry Division to Mindanao before this weekend.
Earlier press reports suggested that China was behind the financial floating of rebel movements in the Philippines. The report said the Chinese supported communist elements fighting for the establishment of a leftist regime in the country.
The report also said Muslim rebels were benefiting from Chinese handout of funds to Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
In a statement issued Tuesday, March 19, the Chinese embassy described the secessionist struggle in the southern Philippines as an “internal affair” that does not concern China.
An American political analyst said that the U.S. was expanding participation in Balikatan or “War games” to help cut foreign funding, particularly from the Chinese and North Koreans, to local secessionist groups.
In the meantime, the U.S. has decided to enlarge its participation in the ongoing war games in Basilan, the favorite hideout of the Abu Sayyaf kidnap gang.
Five hundred more troops from the U.S. Army’s 101st (Airborne) Infantry Division are scheduled to arrive in Mindanao before this weekend.
The U.S. decided a few days ago to beef up its military presence there. Sources say the U.S. finds it necessary to increase its troop presence in order to boost the morale of its stationed troops.
Several soldiers from the first batch of American soldiers on Philippines soil said it was tough terrain and that it was very difficult to trace the Abu Sayyaf kidnappers.
The Abu Sayyaf is still holding two American missionaries and a Filipina nurse as hostage for more than nine months now.
Manila’s defense department said the additional American troops would be deployed to Central Mindanao “as part of an extended Balikatan exercise.”
However, other press reports in Manila claimed the reinforcement of U.S. troops was to prepare against the Abu Sayyaf possible launch of attacks in time for the Holy Week in the Philippines.
The majority of the Abu Sayyaf, a group said to be linked to the Al-Qaeda network and listed as a terrorist group by the U.S., is no longer on the Basilan Island.
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