IMT closing down team sites on May 10 - MILF

MANILA, Philippines - The Malaysia-led International Monitoring Team (IMT) will vacate its four team sites in Mindanao by May 10, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said Wednesday. A statement on the MILF website said this will leave only one operational site and leave at least seven areas in Mindanao without peacekeepers. "If this happens, what would remain is the IMT Team Site 1 based in Cotabato City being handled by the 10-man Brunei contingent and the IMT Headquarters also based in Cotabato City being manned by Malaysians, Libyans and a Japanese," it said. Citing information reaching it, the MILF said the team sites to be vacated include Team Site 2 in Iligan City, Team Site 3 in Zamboanga City, Team Site 4 in General Santos City and Team Site 5 in Metro Davao. According to the MILF, this will leave the areas of Zamboanga peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao provinces, Socsargen, and Davao provinces without peace monitors and peacekeepers on the ground. It added the original 60-member IMT contingent will be trimmed down to 30 members should the closing down of the team sites push through. The MILF added the preparation for the impending team sites' closure is only for the IMT not to be caught by surprise if the "circulating media blitz" that the Malaysian IMT would pull out starting May be made official. - GMANews.TV