"Mindanao is the new Mecca for terrorism," alleges American ambassador Joseph Mussomeli. He claims that the separatist group MILF, fighting for independence from the past 30 years, has strong links to Jemaah Islamiah. But that's strenuously denied by MILF negotiator Mohaqmer Iqbal. "We are not terrorists. We would never mix with them." He fears that America's allegations are derailing the peace process with the Philippines. "They are lumping together the MILF with these so called terrorists so that the peace process will not proceed." If that happens, it may only further isolate the Muslims in Mindanao.