MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ largest Muslim guerrilla group has asked the government to stop any planned oil and gas explorations by foreign companies in vast southern regions they claim.
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front said Sunday that allowing foreign companies to start energy explorations in ancestral territories they claim would complicate Malaysian-brokered peace talks.
The rebel front is calling on prospective foreign companies not to take part in business ventures that would deprive the country’s minority Muslims of their remaining natural resources, adding that they have lost land and opportunities through years of massive land-grabbing.
Rebel negotiator Mohagher Iqbal refused to say what the rebels would do in case the planned energy explorations proceed.