MILF denies report of more attacks vs Mindanao cities

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – An official of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) laughed off published reports saying that they are planning to attack key cities in Mindanao whose officials are strongly opposed to the proposed Memorandum on Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD). "Pinagdugtong-dugtong nila yan using the proposed MOA on Ancestral Domain that several local executives opposed," said MILF information officer Eid Kabalu. Officials of Zamboanga City as well as Iligan City and North Cotabato are strongly opposed to the MOA-AD. They were recently joined by the officials of Isabela City and Zamboanga del Norte province. Reports published in two local newspapers disclosed that the government troops have seized a map showing the MILF would target other cities in Mindanao including this city because of strong opposition to the MOA-AD. The map with red dots, diagrams and sketches, supposedly indicates the cities that the MILF plans to attack. It was said to be among the documents recovered by the government troops in Lanao del Norte. Hundreds of MILF rebels from the 102nd Base Command led by Abdulraman Macapaar alias Commander Bravo launched simultaneously attacked some Lanao del Norte towns Monday. The documents, including a improvised explosive device (IED) and meal rations were recovered from one of the slain rebels when government troops drove them away, according to the report. "It is unfair and a product of speculation," Kabalu said in denying the report. The military and police forces have beefed up security in and around this city to prevent any attack by the rebel forces. The MILF has a training camp in the hinterlands of Tungawan town in Zamboanga Sibugay, which is near its border with Zamboanga City on the east and a base command in the so-called triple "SB" area of Zamboanga del Norte west of this city. The triple "SB" comprises of the municipalities of Sibuco - the first Zamboanga del Norte town just after the border of Zamboanga City - Sirawai, Siocon and Baliguian. - GMANews.TV