Posted on 07/05/2006 1:44:46 PM PDT by 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.
I think they're contending the MILFs never have a connection. A patent absurdity, by definition.
And to ensure no entanglements, they should be Brazilian.
hrmn.
I guess he is out of harm's way then.
Thanks for the geography lesson.
Its been a running joke on the earlier Moro Islamic Liberation Front threads! Gimme a break, all powerful one!
The "long-standing talks" have been going on since at least 1976 when I was on a press trip to the Philippines. We went down to the southern provinces, stayed overnight -- heavily guarded -- in the city of Zamboanga, which would be a good travel destination except the Moros were busily hacking heads off. We actually visited a Moro village on stilts over the water, and believe me, those muslims were resentful and sullen, totally inured to smiles and overtures from strangers. My tour guide, from the Philippine Department of Tourism, was the biggest Filipino guy anyone's ever seen. Bodyguard. He walked right next to and behind me, his shoulder touching my shoulder at every minute. Apparently even then a young and rather nice looking red-headed American grrrrrrrl writer was a terrorist target.
At other destinations around the world, travel writers are always wined and dined at the best restaurants, in Zamboanga, we were taken to the military base where I was seated between the commanding officers of the Army and the Navy of the Southern Philippines. After a few drinks and giggles I asked why we were dining on the base. "Because we'd be murdered if we drove across town at night." Apparently they thought a handful of travel writers had a better chance of getting to our destination alive. Scary!
So, no, I don't think any peace is possible with Islamists anywhere in the world. Tony Blair said something about moderate muslims calming down their terrorist brothers and sisters--possibly a good idea if al Jazeera would stop broadcasting terrorist propaganda 24/7. The NYT of the Middle East.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.