Rebellious Group In Philippines Protest; Demand Stopping Of Gas/Oil Projects

The biggest Muslim guerrilla group of Philippines has put forward their demands regarding the government to stop projects related to oil and gas, which include exploration of the natural resources by companies of the west. They cautioned during Sunday that the energy projects would complex the peace talks between the group and authorities.

The group, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, did not feel the need to commend on what would happen if the government did not accept their request.

If the foreign companies do explore the natural resources, it would include exploration in the Southern areas of the country, which is where the Rebel group is from. The group, which comprises of 11,000 members, has engaged a messy fight for self-rule in the region of Mindanao, which is located towards the south. Mindanao is a homeland of the Muslim minority in the country. Otherwise, Philippines is majorly full of Roman Catholics. The previous messy fight that took place in the country and resulted in the killing of hundreds of individuals, whilst leaving 750,000 homeless took place in year 2008, a cease-fire, which was guarded by foreign monitors led by Malaysia.

Australia, as well as United States has backed the ongoing talks, because of fears that the rebellious group strongholds may nurture militants linked to al-Qaeda.

The country’s energy department had recently given an invitation to foreign, as well as domestic countries, to explore 12 off-shore and three onshore areas for natural resources of gas and oil.

However, the minority believes that the act to take part in exploration of energy in the country would strip the minority of Muslims off natural resources. Because they are a minority, they believe that they already have to deal with a lot of unfavorable and discriminatory practices and think that they would suffer by large if foreign parties interfere and explore gas and oil from the areas of South.

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