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Philippines
Freeze Talks With Muslims In Mindanao
By
IOL South East Asia correspondent
MANILLA,
March 7 (IslamOnline) - The Philippine government has frozen ceasefire
negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), but is still
attempting to prevent start of hostilities in Mindanao Thursday, news reports
said.
The
decision by the government is motivated by constant clashes between the military
and the MILF in areas considered rebel territory according to deals signed by
the warring factions last year.
Last
week the military clashed with the MILF in Lanao del Sur, an area considered
MILF territory by observers. An arms cache of high powered weapons was
discovered after the clash with the armed rebels, military sources said.
The
Philippines is currently accusing the MILF of being responsible for jeopardizing
the peace process. It says the MILF is hampering the efforts by the military to
go after the Abu Sayyaf.
Presidential
Adviser on Mindanao Affairs Jesus Dureza cautioned the MILF against blocking the
military in the war against the Abu Sayyaf.
The
MILF on its part refuted the allegations that it was interfering in the war
against the Abu Sayyaf and that it intends to start hostilities in the region.
MILF
spokesman Eid Kabalu said his movement would wait for advice from Malaysia, the
country facilitating the peace talks, before issuing a formal response about the
talks. He, however, acknowledged that guerrillas “have prepared for any
eventuality and if pushed to the wall, we will fight.”
He
added that the MILF is preparing for the defense of its rights and territories
as well as the gains achieved during the year 2001 since the resumption of peace
talks.
Kabalu
accused the military of creating a scenario for the breakdown of talks. He said
the recent clashes in Maguindanao happened “in remote areas where MILF
formations are based.” “These places are far from military detachments so
this means they have been coming to us,” Kabalu said.
The
press in Manila seems to agree that the military did intensify its operations
against the MILF in mainland Mindanao, causing Muslim leaders to warn that a new
round of fighting would involve US troops.
Muslims
in the region has also expressed their disappointment that the Organization of
Islamic Conference (OIC) has not shown any public interest in salvaging the
peace talks.
They
believe that the OIC should step in the current dissent between the warring
factions and try to settle the problem with further talks in Malaysia.
The
MILF has a 12,000 strong army, fully equipped and well trained in guerilla
tactics. It lost most of the territories it controlled in the year 1999 and 2000
after former President Joseph Estrada ordered an all out war against the rebel
faction.
Malaysia
is pressing the Philippines for peace in the region with promises of investments
key sectors in Mindanao.
The
MILF has been fighting for an independent Islamic territory since the early
1970’s.
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