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Philippines MILF Declares Own Version Of Truce
by Kazi Mahmood
KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (IslamOnline) - The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) declared its own version of a truce with the Philippines military Sunday in a bid to show its sincerity in the wake of a cease fire ordered by Manila.
The MILF insisted however, that it did not order its troops to ceasefire, but wanted them to remain on the defensive and not to attack government troops.
The decision was reached after a stormy session of the movement's Central Committee during its recently concluded meeting held at Camp Abubakr on March 7-8, Eid Kabalu, spokesman for the MILF, said.
The movement reiterated its earlier decision to ignore the government's invitation to order a complete ceasefire and lay down arms in a gesture of peace.
Kabalu and other members of the MILF said that the ceasefire is only applicable to government forces that have entered MILF camps and are continuously harassing MILF forces.
The MILF states that since its armed forces have always been on the defensive since the start of the "all-out war" policy carried by the Philippine armed forces as early as January 2000, there were no need for it to declare a ceasefire.
The MILF insists that it is forced to counter the military's continued offensive against its forces and the Bangsamoro people. "This is considered as an act of self-defense," Kabalu said.
The very source of the problem the peace process is now facing, according to the MILF, is that the Filipino army is still on the offensive.
In addition, a reported rift within the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) suggests that a substantial number of military units assigned in Mindanao are still loyal to ousted President Joseph Estrada.
Estrada himself revealed on Saturday that he was still in contact with some members of the military and did not give up hope that he might return to power eventually.
He recently said that an "all out war" against the MILF was the only solution to the problems in Mindanao and that peace talks take too long to find solutions to such military problems.
The MILF revealed that elements of the 47th brigade of the army on Saturday afternoon harassed Muslim residents of Barangay Pananggolin and Lumabaw.
While there are no reports of casualties, the military action was enough to cause fear and panic enough so that residents sought refuge to safer areas, reports say.
This MILF says acts such as these sabotage on-going efforts to resume peace negotiations between the MILF and the Philippines, and also indicates blatant disregard for the government's own ceasefire calls.
Kabalu noted that recent attacks by the MILF against the army could not have taken place if there were no offensive movements on the side of the army.
Separatist leaders warned clashes could erupt anytime if government forces continue to encroach on their remaining strongholds in the guise of "police actions."
Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF political officer, said the movement still has to come out with a set of proposals on how the government and MILF panels can work out an immediate restoration of peace in areas where soldiers and Muslim fighters are in a standoff.
"But the MILF will certainly respond. The committee has remained steadfast in its desire to resolve the peace and order problems in central Mindanao on the negotiating table," he said.
In Zamboanga City, government peace panel chief Jesus Dureza admitted formal talks with the MILF may take some time, saying most members of the separatist panel are apprehensive to come out because of a string of arrest warrants issued against them by the previous administration.
He appealed to the government to review the cases of the MILF leaders, and if possible, withdraw the warrants if the charges are not substantiated.
"But this does not mean the judicial process will be short-circuited," he stressed.
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