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Philippines investigates alleged MILF training camp in south

Xinhua, March 20, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Philippine government has been investigating the alleged establishment of a new training camp by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the southern province of Lanao del Norte, a possible violation of the ceasefire agreement with the government, a senior official said Friday.

Government of the Philippines-Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (GPH-CCCH) Head of Secretariat Major Carlos Sol said that his office received a report from the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army about the alleged training camp of MILF in Iligan City.

He said that if the allegations are confirmed, an immediate dismantling of the camp would take place.

Sol said that the GPH-CCCH is acting based on a complaint filed by a tribal chieftain in the area.

The complaint also cited continued recruitment and conduct of " military-like training exercises" by the MILF, he said.

The alleged training camp is not among the several MILF camps recognized under the peace agreement with the Philippine government, the official noted.

"We assure everyone, especially those in Iligan and neighboring towns, that we will do our utmost to resolve this complaint at the soonest time possible," said Sol.

The peace process between the government and the MILF has been severely hampered by the bloody clash on Jan. 25 between the Philippine Police Special Action (SAF) commandos and the MILF in Mamasapano town in southern province of Maguindanao.

Some 44 SAF Commandos and 18 MILF rebel fighters were killed in the clash, the result of a botched operation to arrest two terrorist bomb technicians. Endi