August 11, 2008
MILFs Attack, 130,000 Flee Southern Philippines
(Mindanao Island, Philippines) The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has attacked and occupied the North Cotabato Province of central Mindanao causing 130,000 majority Christian citizens to flee. Fifteen villages have been occupied.
The MILFs demand more land and cancellation of democratic elections.
Harsh criticism that the government doesn't protect Christians has prompted officials in Manila to respond swiftly with bombs from Philippine Air Force planes and artillery from ground brigades. Guerillas are reportedly putting up "heavy resistance." Fortunately, casualties reported thus far have been slight.
The Red Cross is sending food, water and medicine to aid the evacuees.
Note that the theft of real estate owned by others is apparently defined as liberation by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Interestingly, it's the same definition used by Castro in Cuba, Mugabe in Zimbabwe, Stalin in the Soviet Union and many other totalitarian despots.
