Philippine Rebel Group Warns US Against Helping to Military

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, May 21, 2003

Philippine Rebel Group Warns US Against Helping to Military

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the biggest separatist group in the Philippines, on Tuesday warned the United States against helping the local military crack down on its units.

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The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the biggest separatist group in the Philippines, on Tuesday warned the United States against helping the local military crack down on its units.

MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said his men would not harm the US troops if they do not actively help in the government's fight withthe rebels, otherwise the group would hit US interest here, the Philippine Daily Inquirer on-line news reported.

Kabalu denied allegations that it was engaged in terrorist activities, and accused the military of often instigating the fighting.

An estimated 18,000 people have fled their homes as the military stepped up a major offensive Tuesday against Muslim separatists linked to terrorists in the southern Philippines, Philippine military spokesman Lieutenant General Rodolfo Garcia said.

Government forces have flushed out about 300 members of the MILF who had occupied the town of Munai in Lanao del Norte province in the south, he said.

The rebels and several MILF leaders were believed to have fled to surrounding hinterland areas following the military offensive was launched Saturday, Garcia told reporters, however, adding thatthe operations were hampered by bad weather.

The military claimed to have killed at least 60 MILF rebels in the first wave of assault up to Monday.

Kabalu acknowledged the group faced military bombardments but denied sustaining heavy casualties. He said there had been no major ground engagements yet.

Military offensives were also continuing in other areas of the main southern island of Mindanao against the MILF, which the military has linked to the Jemaah Islamiyah regional terror network blamed for the deadly Bali bombings last year.

Peace talks with the government remain in limbo after the military dislodged MILF rebels from a major camp in the south in February, triggering a wave of deadly reprisals from the rebels.

Before departing for a state visit to Washington on Saturday, Arroyo ordered the military to launch "selective" air assaults andartillery fire on hideouts of MILF elements that have launched deadly bombings and raids.

US President George Bush said his government considered the Philippines a key "non-NATO ally," and urged the MILF to "abandon the path of violence." He added that his government was prepared to assist the Philippines military in terms of training and providing equipment.

The 12,000-strong MILF has been fighting for an independent Islamic state in Mindanao in the south since its establishment in 1978.

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