Philippines: February 9, 2002

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Although MILF promised to stop kidnapping (to raise money) in 1996, the kidnappings continued. It eventually became apparent that MILF could not control all of its members. Some MILF members who continued to kidnap were expelled, but now the MILF is ordering it's members to go after kidnappers thought to be renegade MILF. The MILF was never as tightly organized and disciplined as often portrayed in the media. The fear is that any peace deal with MILF will fall apart as MILF factions go their own way. As recently as today, police killed nine former MILF members caught at a roadblock. The former rebels were driving to the home of a local politician to kidnap him.