US troops intensifying ‘listening devices’ in Mindanao, MILF claims

DAVAO CITY — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has accused the United States military of strengthening its "listening devices" in Mindanao by way of its joint military exercises with Filipino troops.

"It is to strengthen their ‘listening devices’ in the South for intelligence purposes. We all know the US has interests in Mindanao and that is why their armed forces are here in the guise of conducting joint military training with their local counterparts," said MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu.

Kabalu cited the increasing presence of American troops in Mindanao, including those undertaking Balikatan exercises at the Armed Forces’ Southern Command headquarters in Zamboanga City.

A US military contingent is also engaged in the Balance Piston 04-03 joint training at the headquarters of the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade in Carmen, North Cotabato, until Aug. 13.

"They want to know more and gather more information for their interests," Kabalu said.

He said the ongoing joint exercises could be part of the efforts of the US military to track down members of the Al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah, an Indonesian-based terrorist group said to have links with Moro rebel groups.

Kabalu, however, said the MILF remains unfazed by the presence of US troops in Mindanao.

"We are not afraid of them. We are very secure and we have enough forces on the ground," he said.

Besides, Kabalu said the MILF is open to American intervention in the ongoing peace process.

He said MILF officials have talked with representatives of the US Institute of Peace (USIP), who were accompanied by US Embassy officials during their visit.

Meanwhile, MILF representatives in the Joint Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities, led by Benjie Midtimbang, were given the chance to see for themselves the ongoing Balance Piston 04-03 exercises at the 602nd IB’s Camp Lucero in Carmen town, last Monday.