Philippines: April 8, 2004

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The United States has been criticizing the  government for ignoring growing terrorist operations in the southern (largely Moslem) Philippines. American intelligence (from intercepts of telephone and email messages) reports that at least one terrorist training camp is probably still operating in the south have been played down by the government. The MILF (Moslem separatist rebel organization) is negotiating a peace deal with the government and insists that there are no terrorist camps in the south, and if there are, they are sheltered by breakaway factions of the MILF (like Abu Sayyaf). Now that there is a growing threat of terrorist attacks on Philippine targets, the government is taking the American information and advice more seriously. But the Filipinos still have problem with corruption in the police and army, as well as inept commanders.