Philippine Muslim rebels hope gov't will rethink position to attack in Basilan

Philippine Muslim rebels hope gov't will rethink position to attack in Basilan

 The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) expressed hope on Monday that the Philippine government will not push with its attack in southern province of Basilan.

Abu Majid, a MILF provincial officer based in Basilan, said that as they saw it, the military is preparing to mount an attack against the MILF forces led by Dan "Laksaw" Asnawi, the second highest rebel commander in the island province who figured in a bloody encounter on Oct. 18 that left 19 Army's Special Forces dead.

"I hope the government will rethink its decision to attack our forces in the island," he said, adding, however, that the MILF forces were ready to defend themselves.

Majid claimed that Asnawi was not a criminal, contrary to the government's claim.

He explained that Asnawi was a victim of injustice where innocent was charged of a crime that was never committed.

Majid was referring to the beheading of 10 Marines in 2007 wherein the result of the investigation conducted by the MILF and government of the Philippines' ceasefire committees and with the participation of Bantay Ceasefire in 2007 cleared the MILF of any participation.

The investigators pointed to the extremist Abu Sayyaf as responsible for the beheading, he said.

President Benigno S. Aquino III earlier declared an all-out justice for the death of the 19 soldiers in Basilan.

Editor: Xiong Tong

English.news.cn   2011-10-31 14:31:20 FeedbackPrintRSS
MANILA, Oct. 31 (Xinhua)