AJLPP Mindanao Update

August 18, 2008

AFP orders Military Offensive Vs MILF, 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.

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 and Saranggani province near Davao City.

AFP chief General Yano called the MILF attacks as " virtual declaraion of war agains the Republic of the Philippines" and ordered new military offensives.

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.

More than 5,000 people were again displaced in the current fighting in the two Lanao provinces and Saranggani. More than 165,000 people were reportedly displaced in Central Mindanao.

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