From the Mindanao Examiner (Jan 6): Muslim rebels launch own probe on series of foiled bomb attacks
in Philippine province
The Philippines’ largest Muslim rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front has
launched its own probe into the series of foiled bomb attacks in Maguindanao
province. Civilians on Saturday discovered a powerful homemade bomb in
Shariff Aguak town, but military and police authorities remain silent about the
breach in security. The improvised explosive, assembled from mortar bombs and
detonator, was found by locals in downtown area. The 6th Infantry
Division did not give any statement about the breach in security despite the
huge numbers of soldiers deployed in the province where its main headquarters
are located. Army spokesman Col. Prudencio Asto did not answer repeated
phone calls by journalists trying to get a statement from the military about its
failure to prevent bombing attempts. No individual or group claimed
responsibility for the foiled bombing.
“We are also conducting our own
investigation into the recovery of bombs and other explosives in recent weeks
and we are looking whether this has anything to do with the peace talks between
the MILF and the Aquino government. This could also be connected to politics or
a third party trying to muddle up the peace talks,” Von al Haq, a rebel
spokesman, told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
The governor of
Maguindanao, Esmael Mangudadatu, also did not give a statement about the foiled
bombing, but had been the target of bomb attacks in the past and he blamed his
political foes for all attempts to kill him.
The MILF has signed a
framework agreement with Manila in October for the creation of Bangsamoro
homeland, which would replace the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
comprising of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and
Tawi-Tawi; and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan.
http://mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20130106004346
See the preceding article entitled "Militar mistulang inutil sa Maguindanao!" (Military seemingly useless in Maguindanao!). Essentially the same article with a less provocative headline. This English version is much better than my feeble effort to translate the Tagalog version using my rusty Tagalog language skills.
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