MILF fighters told not to use cell phone during combat

MANILA, Philippines - The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) ordered its fighters not to use mobile phones during combat, saying these devices are used by the military to track MILF forces, the rebel group's official website, luwaran.com, reported. The Armed Forces of the Philippines are currently hunting three rogue commanders of the MILF accused of attacking targets in North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte. The MILF website reported that the order came in the wake of series of fighting in some parts of Mindanao particularly in the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Norte, and Sarangani, where government troops located rebel positions and subjected it to air attack. The MILF said mobile phone tracking can find the location of a mobile phone even on the move, adding that the Armed Forces "has achieved a great level of technological development, which operates to the disadvantage of the MILF." An MILF commander who asked not to be named told luwaran.com that the MILF will counter the military move by resorting to the traditional method of communication, the courier system. "Important and highly sensitive communication is carried by trusted courier to the destination," the report said. - Joe Torres, GMANews.TV