MILF won’t interfere in war games

DAVAO CITY — "Just don’t touch us."

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said yesterday it would not interfere in the joint military exercise between Filipino and US troops slated in Carmen, North Cotabato on July 26 to Aug. 14.

"They could go on with the training as long as they don’t touch us or any of our men, or we will have no other recourse but to defend ourselves," said MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu.

"It is not for us to interfere with what the government intends to do," he added.

Lt. Col. Daniel Lucero, Armed Forces’ information chief, expressed confidence that the joint military exercise dubbed Balance Piston 04, would not affect the peace talks with the MILF.

"There will be no irritants," he said, adding that the military, through the coordinating committee on the cessation of hostilities, will work closely with the MILF before the joint military exercise is held.

Besides, he said the exercise will just be confined in Carmen town. A separate anti-terror training by US military experts will be held at Camp Gen. Arturo Enrile in Barangay Malagutay, Zamboanga City later this month.

At least 20 US and 156 Filipino soldiers will take part in the Carmen exercise. The Zamboanga City training, on the other hand, will involve six companies of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division.

The government has yet to resume formal peace talks with the 12,500-strong MILF. The discussions were stalled three years ago over disagreements on the ancestral domain issue.

Both parties are awaiting word from Malaysia which has hosted the negotiations.