Thousands fleeing fighting in Philippines

United Press International, ^ | July 5 | staff

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

MANILA, Philippines, July 5 (UPI) -- Reports from the southern Philippines say some 3,000 people have fled their homes amid fighting between government troops, militias and Muslim insurgents.

The fighting in Maguindanao province over the past week left more than 40 people dead, The Manila Times reported Tuesday. It also endangered negotiations between Manila and the Moro National Liberation Front.

Those long-standing talks were expected to produce a final peace accord by September.

New reports say the MNLF has blamed military backed militias loyal to the provincial governor for the violence, which they claim was in retaliation for a roadside bombing last month that killed five people. The target of the bombing was allegedly the governor.

"The attacks on the MILF are clearly in retaliation for the killings of the 5 people in which the MILF had no connection," an MNLF leader was quoted as saying.

A MNLF spokesman was quoted as saying the fighting began when militias, backed by army artillery fire, attacked a MNLF camp.

The MNLF, a separatist group, said their forces have been ordered to stay in their camps in the province and only use fight to defend themselves.

In addition to Muslim separatists, the Philippines is also fighting a communist insurgency.

[Namyak]

What I don't get is what actually leg do these Muslim extremists have to stand on? The Philippines is approximately 90% Catholic and 94% Christian, and has been since Spanish colonization in the 16th century. So we're dealing with 5% population terrorizing the other 95% and demanding sovereignty simply because they all live in the same place.

I guess my question is two-fold: why does the international community turn a blind eye to this, and can anyone imagine what sort of repercussions it would have if they are granted their own state carved out of the Philippines? It would galvanize Muslim separatists the world over. I hope the government of the Philippines takes the proper steps to make sure this never happens.

[krunkygirl]

My first thoughts, too: wonder if Art Bell is re-thinking his move?...

[SirLinksalot]

My first thoughts, too: wonder if Art Bell is re-thinking his move?...

Maguindanao is thousands of miles from Makati, Manila ( a rich suburb ), where nothing ever happens. And they are separated by water.

Why should Art Bell want to move when his money goes a long way in Manila ? The place can be a retirement paradise if you have the means.

[Southack]

"Everywhere on earth where you see trouble,you find muslims. Coincidence?"

North Korea?

Cuba?

Venezuela?!

[samadams2000]

Can we send some Christian warriors? Seems like a good place to thin back the surging pagans.

[ArrogantBustard]

why does the international community turn a blind eye to this,

Because little brown Christians aren't a preferred minority.

[onyx]

Read the headline and thought of Art right away.

[ArrogantBustard]

Tell ya what ... if you haven't the intelligence to recognise that this thread is about a bunch of murdering mohammedan madmen and not pornography, and the mental and social maturity to at least try to stick to the topic, you belong on the DUmpster, too.

I guess it's OK by you for the islamists to murder folks and try to destabilise a halfway decent country, so long as they choose a name that appeals to puerile prurient interest?

Don't be any more of an ass than necessary.

[null and void]

Fair enough. I'll take that as advice from one who's been there...

[Admin Moderator]

Knock it off.

[null and void]

Done. Thank you.

[Admin Moderator]

Grow up.

[NicknamedBob]

"The attacks on the MILF are clearly in retaliation for the killings of the 5 people in which the MILF had no connection,"

Now, who would attack a MILF? That's just wrong.

[King Prout]

5 people in which the MILF had no connection

leads one to wonder how many folks are running around in which the MILF had a connection... and isn't that suggestive of something physiologically unnatural?