MILF cautions MNLF vs use of integrees in Mindanao battles

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) questioned Monday the military's use of integrees from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to fight their "former" colleagues in Mindanao. In a statement on its website (www.luwaran.com), the MILF issued an suggested to the MNLF that it bring the matter up during the tripartite review of its peace pact with the government. "Your integrees in the AFP are used in fighting your own men in Sulu," MILF deputy spokesman Khaled Musa told the MNLF in a "sign of brotherly concern." Musa added this is a bitter lesson for the MNLF "that must be learned and must not be repeated." He noted that seven of the 26 casualties suffered by the AFP in Maimbung and Indanan encounters last Aug. 7 and 9, respectively, were MNLF integrees. Yet, he said some MNLF leaders are still asking the government for the additional integration into the AFP of MNLF forces, as part of the unimplemented aspect of the 1996 agreement. "Today, the AFP has sent more than 6,000 troops to pursue less then 500 armed elements in Sulu and Basilan including hundreds of former MNLF combatants," the MILF statement said. The MILF said that in its peace talks with government, it is not demanding the integration of its forces into AFP, but instead for a separate Internal Security Forces (ISF) and Police. But implementing guidelines for the ISF and Police are not agreed upon by both parties. These would be discussed in the last agenda of the talks, which is the negotiated political solution of the Moro Problem and the conflict in Mindanao. Also, the MILF said the agreement it and the government will forge would not be a "final agreement" but a "comprehensive compact." The MILF said that this is the reason why the MNLF has had hard time opening up new round of talks with the government, because the MNLF has already foreclosed any further talks especially on newer issues, except a review of the 1996 agreement.- GMANews.TV