Malaysian monitors to check JI presence in MILF camps

A Malaysian team monitoring a ceasefire between the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will check allegations that foreign terrorists are training in rebel camps, officials said yesterday.

The Malaysians arrived in Manila Monday for an eight-day mission to monitor implementation of a ceasefire signed last year between the government and the MILF before peace talks resume in April, officials said.

The group, headed by Brig. Gen. Zulkifli bin Mohd Zain, will visit MILF camps in Mindanao, where the rebels have been fighting since 1978 for the establishment of an independent Islamic state.

The team is composed of six members from the Malaysian military, a civilian officer, two from the prime minister’s department and one representative each from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of National Security and the Royal Malaysian Police.

Malaysian Ambassador Mohamed Taufik said the arrival of the advance survey team is "an initial step to look into the arrangements on the ground and the administrative requirements in preparation for the sending of the International Monitoring Team (IMT)."

Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Rafael Seguis said that the advance team could possibly look into the alleged presence of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) training camps in MILF territories as claimed by Philippine military officials.

MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said that they may ask the observers to investigate the allegations in order to bring the matter to a close.

MILF negotiator Roberto Alonto said the monitoring team was welcome to check camps in Central Mindanao where the military had said some 30 Indonesian militants from the al-Qaeda-linked JI were being trained.

"They are free to go there and look at the area," Alonto said, adding he was confident the Malaysians will not be "specifically investigating the allegation" since their short mission would focus on implementation of the ceasefire.

Nevertheless, they can also check for JI fighters in MILF camps, Alonto said, stressing that the MILF has put in place "safety measures to ensure the ranks of the MILF are not infiltrated by so-called JI members or any so-called terrorists."

Alonto said, however, that the MILF in the past allowed foreign Muslim militants who wanted to study Islam into its camps.

He said they were not aware of the affiliation of many of their Muslim visitors. But allegations that JI members are training in MILF camps are a mere figment of the imagination because there is no proof of this, he added.

JI is blamed for the October 2002 bombings that killed more than 200 in Bali, Indonesia.

Accusations by the Philippine military that the MILF were harboring JI militants in its camps had in past hindered progress of peace talks.

All of the information gathered by the advance survey team will be used to set the guidelines on how to make the work of the IMT effective and successful, the Malaysian ambassador said.

"The government of Malaysia believes the eventual success of the monitoring team will help establish the long awaited and elusive peace and development in the southern Philippines," Taufik said.

He also called on the MILF and the Philippine government to give their full support and cooperation to the peace process.

While performing their duties, the advance team members will be wearing their official uniforms and will be accompanied by military and MILF personnel. However, they will not be allowed to carry arms.

The advance survey team is expected to visit 10 MILF camps, five cities and former battlegrounds including the Buliok complex, the former rebel stronghold which the military has taken over.

Presidential adviser for the peace process Teresita Deles said all 12 members arrived yesterday, and the IMT will arrive shortly after the advance team concludes its work.

The IMT will be composed of members from Malaysia, Bangladesh, Libya, Brunei and Bahrain.

The MILF is the country’s largest Muslim insurgent force fighting for the establishment of an independent Islamic state in the southern third of this mostly Christian country.

It signed a ceasefire accord with the government in July, and President Arroyo wants a negotiated settlement to the conflict ahead of the May 10 national elections. — AFP, Marvin Sy