Thousands flee Philippine clashes (US advisers involved)

[IndianaGreen]

Source: BBC

Thousands flee Philippine clashes

Last Updated: Saturday, 11 August 2007, 10:26 GMT 11:26 UK

Thousands of civilians have fled their homes in the southern Philippine island of Jolo after deadly clashes between troops and militants, officials say.
More than 50 people were killed on Thursday, almost half of them soldiers.

Reinforcements have begun to arrive in Jolo, as the military steps up its campaign against Islamist rebels.

Troops backed by US military trainers have been fighting militants affiliated to various groups, hiding in the island's mountainous terrain.

Thursday's fighting began when a troop convoy was ambushed near the town of Maimburg, leaving 10 soldiers dead.

Fifteen more soldiers were killed and 17 were wounded in gun battles after reinforcements were flown in to engage with militants.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6941768.stm

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Filipino President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is a rightwing despot that represents the "axis of evil" of the Philippines: the Catholic Church, the military, and the elites.

While small groups like Abu Sayyaf, are clearly terrorists with tenous connections to Al-Qaeda, the bulk of the insurgency has historical grievances and can legitimately been referred to as national liberation movements. I include in the latter category the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the New Peoples Army (NPA).

[David__77]

1. Is NPA involved?

I don't think it is. It's interesting how the NPA is "at war" and yet not in an all-out way like their counterparts were in Nepal, or, previously, in Peru.

[ohio2007]

2. This ongoing battle is against "militants". that is easy enough to profile

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/theworld/2007/August/theworld_August203.xml§ion=theworld


look the other way, nothing to see here