MILF rebels have been urged to leave Basilan lest they get caught up in the search for Abu Sayyaf. There are over a thousand MILF fighters on Basilan. The 5,000 soldiers on Basilan have a hard time telling the difference between MILF and Abu Sayyaf fighters. The government reported that Chinese warships have been spotted near the Spratly islands, but outside the area claimed by the Philippines.
