A new Islamic faction, the Markaz Qulbon Suja’h (translated as the Center for the Brave), says that the government is actually responsible for the atrocities that it blames on Abu Sayyaf and the MILF. It says the government is seeking an avenue to allow President Ramos to stay in power as federal elections are set for May 11, and under the constitution, Ramos is not allowed to run again. By promoting disruptions, it argues that Ramos could be allowed to stay in power. No other information on the group is available (Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 03/24/98).