From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 28): AFP, MILF helping each other to address Khilafa Islamiyah Mindanao
Armed Forces chief-of-staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista Wednesday said the military and Moro Islamic Liberation Front are working together to neutralize the threat brought about by Khilafa Islamiyah Mindanao.
This is a terror group believed to be responsible for the July 26 bombing in Cagayan De Oro which left nine people dead and scores wounded.
He added the group is concentrated inCentral Mindanao .
The area is known to be under the control of the MILF which is presently in the thick of peace negotiations with the government.
The AFP chief added that membership for the Khilafa Islamiyah Mindanao is still small.
“Its membership is coming from different (organizations), including some from the Abu Sayyaf,” Bautista stressed.
The latter, however, declined to give specifics.
Military sources earlier claimed that the group is composed of members of the Abu Sayyaf, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and former members of the MILF’s Special Operations Group.
They said they learned of the group's existence last May.
Bautista assured the public that the AFP and the MILF are looking for the group to eliminate the threat it poses.
“(We’re having a) search in possible areas for the terrorist groups,” he stressed.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=0&sid=&nid=0&rid=559729
Armed Forces chief-of-staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista Wednesday said the military and Moro Islamic Liberation Front are working together to neutralize the threat brought about by Khilafa Islamiyah Mindanao.
This is a terror group believed to be responsible for the July 26 bombing in Cagayan De Oro which left nine people dead and scores wounded.
He added the group is concentrated in
The area is known to be under the control of the MILF which is presently in the thick of peace negotiations with the government.
The AFP chief added that membership for the Khilafa Islamiyah Mindanao is still small.
“Its membership is coming from different (organizations), including some from the Abu Sayyaf,” Bautista stressed.
The latter, however, declined to give specifics.
Military sources earlier claimed that the group is composed of members of the Abu Sayyaf, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and former members of the MILF’s Special Operations Group.
They said they learned of the group's existence last May.
Bautista assured the public that the AFP and the MILF are looking for the group to eliminate the threat it poses.
“(We’re having a) search in possible areas for the terrorist groups,” he stressed.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=0&sid=&nid=0&rid=559729