Philippine Muslim rebel faction rejects talks

5% to 13% of the population of the Philippines is Muslim.

You would think there would not be much of a problem there.

But we are talking about Islam, and whenever you talk about Islam you have to factor in, Ignorance, Strife, Mayhem, riots, Murder, and all around turmoil.



Foxnews
A rogue Muslim rebel commander in the Philippines has formed a separate faction of several hundred fighters and rejected peace talks to end the decades-long secessionist rebellion, leaders of the guerrillas said Saturday.

However, the chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front insisted the rebellious faction would not prevent progress in the negotiations with the government, which are scheduled to resume next week.

Ameril Umbra Kato, who is wanted by the Philippine government for leading attacks on Christian communities that killed dozens of civilians in 2008, resigned seven months ago as leader of a guerrilla unit, the movement's chairman, Murad Ebrahim, told reporters at his southern headquarters.

Kato was to have been given a new assignment but instead accused the rebel group of being "revisionist" and formed his own armed group, called the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, Iqbal said.

"It's a problem, and we are trying to address that because that kind of arrangement is not possible," Iqbal told The Associated Press. "There is only one command. We have only one organization, and everybody must toe the line."

He believes the differences with Kato are only over tactics, adding that the upcoming negotiations are compatible with the concept of jihad or armed struggle.

"If we cannot handle this ... we will tell the government that we cannot solve it," he said.