MILF accuses RP of lying

MILF accuses RP of lying

PHILIPPINES: A Philippine Moro separatist group on Thursday denied it had terrorist links and accused the government of making up the allegations to increase U.S. pressure on the group.

Eid Kabalu, spokesman for the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), brushed off U.S. warnings Washington would withhold millions of dollars in development aid to Muslim areas unless the rebels cut their ties to groups such as the Jamaah Islamiyah (JI).

"This is a recycled allegation and we have nothing to cut because there are really no ties," Kabalu said.

U.S. ambassador to the Philippines Francis Ricciardone said on Wednesday the U.S. Congress had earmarked US$30 million for areas controlled by the 12,500-strong MILF once a peace agreement was signed with Manila.

But he warned that the MILF would lose access to the funds unless they cut all links to the JI, a regional militant group blamed for last October's bombing in Bali that killed more than 200 people and other deadly attacks.

Kabalu said allegations of MILF links to the JI were "part of the pressure which is favorable to the (Philippine) government for us to come to an agreement."

"The MILF will not succumb to pressure because what we want here is genuine peace," he added. -- AFP