GPH, MILF reps to verify presence of foreign terrorists in Lanao Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 25): GPH, MILF reps to verify presence of foreign terrorists in Lanao Sur
 
While talks are under way in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the GPH and MILF ceasefire panels will conduct an onsite verification on Monday on the reported presence of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI)-linked terror group in Lanao del Sur.

Representatives from both sides will start the visit with a "kanduli" (thanksgiving) in the form of "boodle fight" among soldiers and MILF leaders inside the 603rd Infantry Brigade camp in Barangay Tugaig, Barira, Maguindanao.

Both the joint GPH-MILF ceasefire committee and the joint AHJAG (Ad Hoc Joint Action Group), composed of MILF, representatives from the rebel group, the Philippine police and Army, help enforce the anti-crime drive against lawless elements and terrorists in areas identified with the Moro rebel group.

Col. Noli Orense, 603rd Army brigade chief, and his staff will lead the send-off rite for the joint verification team. The team will inspect alleged JI hideouts in Lanao del Sur where alleged bombers that carried attacks in Cagayan de Oro City and Cotabato City were trained.

Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Toto Mangudadatu said his office gives all-out support to the verification mission of the government, the MILF and the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team.

Army and police intelligence units claimed Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as Marwan, a senior leader of the JI, was reportedly in Lanao del Sur or Maguindanao and supervised the bombing incidents in southern Philippines.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=558515