RP may reduce troops in Aceh

President Arroyo might cut the number of Filipino troops deployed as peace monitors in Indonesia’s rebellious Aceh province after a separatist leader questioned the neutrality of the Philippine government.

However, Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao said Mrs. Arroyo has not yet decided whether to withdraw or reduce the number of Filipino troops in Aceh.

"Not really withdrawing but we are emphasizing that we’re invited there on the basis of our being neutral and that is a very accurate assumption," he said.

During a press conference yesterday, Tiglao said the government took strong exception to the claim of Sofyan Ibrahim Tiba, a leader of the Free Aceh Movement, that the Philippines could not be expected to be neutral.

"We have been invited there on the assumption that we are a neutral country," he said.

"Although ... I have been told the Aceh group is planning to reduce the number of participants anyway."

Tiglao said the Philippine decision to send peace monitors to the troubled province was in repayment for Indonesia’s mediation in the conflict between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Filipino peace monitors should be replaced with those from Norway and Brunei, Tiba added.

Mrs. Arroyo decided to send Filipino troops as peace monitors to Aceh after meeting with Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri early this year. – Marichu Villanueva