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Philippines Offer Ramadan Ceasefire But MILF Vows To Defend Themselves
JAKARTA (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - MILF supporters said after the announcement of a unilateral ceasefire by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday, Ramadan in Mindanao will never be the same.
In the past, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) would believe the Filipinos meant what they said, but since brutal attacks during the Eid Ul-Fitr and Eid Ul-Adha this year against Muslim Filipinos (pro-MILF) during prayers, they do not believe a word on the current offer of ceasefire.
The AFP announced that it has ceased offensive operations against the MILF since November 27th in deference to the Holy Month of Ramadan, but will continue to be on alert amidst reports of attacks during the period.
Military officials expressed hope that the unilateral ceasefire would also be observed by the MILF. Observers in Manila and Mindanao believe that may not be the case.
Despite the ceasefire declaration, military camps in the war-torn Mindanao region remain on alert for possible Muslim attacks during the 30-day holy period observed by Muslims.
Military intelligence reports indicate that the separatist MILF, and the Abu Sayyaf group, is planning to attack government and civilian targets during the period.
The separatists have been known to stage attacks during Ramadan, claimed Armed Forces command. However, Aleem Abdulazziz Mimbantas of the MILF, said the AFP is still maintaining offensives against Muslims.
He disputed claims by the army that Muslims would stage attacks this month, adding that any clashes would be in retaliation to AFP attempts to capture MILF strongholds.
Mimbantas is MILF Vice Chair for Internal Affairs and headed the MILF peace panel before it was disbanded.
He said the Filipino 2nd Marine Brigade has been deployed in Cotabato City and navy boats deployed in the Pulangi River in order to block MILF movements.
MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu also denied the military’s claim of separatist attacks during Ramadan.
He accused the military of escalating the Mindanao war in a bid to divert the public’s attention from the political crisis plaguing the administration of President Joseph Estrada, who faces an impeachment trial on alleged corruption activities and violation of the Constitution.
The MILF believe that by placing the military on high alert in the southern region of the Philippines, the government is showing its intention to capitalize on the holy month. The MILF also said they believe the military would attempt to make gains during this month. They promised fierce fighting in retaliation though.
Kabalu said MILF reports have confirmed the quiet deployment in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, of hardened combatants of the 2nd Marine brigade, which recently saw action in Sulu province against the Abu Sayyaf.
Kabalu said the arrival of the Marine brigade is apparently in preparation for a major military assault against MILF positions along the Tran Grande River.
He supported Mimbantas’s claim that Philippine Navy boats have been deployed on the Pulangi River.
Philippine Southern Command headquarters in Zamboanga, about 850 kilometers (530 miles) south of Manila, has been on red alert since Sunday. Helmeted soldiers thoroughly search vehicles going into the camp for weapons and explosives.
On Saturday, troops retook a major Muslim camp after several days of fighting, including heavy bombardment by howitzer cannons, that left at least 10 MILF members dead, the military said.
Camp Bushra, located in the hinterlands of Butig town in Lanao del Sur province, was the MILF’s main training ground until it was overrun by the military in late May during a government offensive against guerrilla camps in the southern Mindanao region.
Al Haj Murad, MILF Vice Chairman for Military Affairs, told The Star newspaper yesterday their forces will maintain a defensive posture and engage government troops only if provoked.
"Ramadan is a very important season for Muslims and we are hoping that our observance on the month-long fasting will not be disturbed by any military attacks," he said. "Even then, we will fight back and defend our positions if provoked."
In another development, the MILF stated that it is not interested in Indonesia's offer to host the resumption of peace talks with the Philippine government in Jakarta.
Elias Macarandas said the Bangsamoro do not favor Indonesia as a venue for the talks since Indonesia is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and could be influenced by the Philippines about the conduct of the talks.
The MILF, he said, prefers to hold the talks in Jeddah, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which the rebel leaders say is a neutral venue.
Last week, Estrada said he received an offer from Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid to facilitate peace talks between the government and the Muslim group.
Estrada said Wahid made the offer during the recently concluded APEC summit in Brunei.
But although the government expressed intentions to pursue talks with the MILF, it still has not made any final decision on its resumption, particularly concerning the conditions set by the MILF.
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