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Friday, December 19, 2003
MILF frees 4 captured soldiers
By Miko Santos
TO PRESERVE the peace process and prevent rising tension in Mindanao, the military and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have agreed to end hostilities, which were sparked by operations against kidnappers.
The MILF has also released four soldiers who were taken as prisoners of war during a Monday encounter in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, according to Lt. Gen. Rodolfo Garcia, Armed Forces vice chief of staff
A ceasefire that took effect Wednesday was still in place, which would allow the planned handover of troops to take place, Garcia said.
The two parties agreed on a moratorium Tuesday night in Cotabato City, a day after fierce fighting in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town, Maguindanao, killed 13 people.
They have also agreed that MILF rebels caught in the middle of operations against the Pentagon gang would be given safety passes out of combat zones, particularly in Talitay, Talayan and Datu Saudi Ampatuan towns, Lucero added.
Earlier, MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said their group was holding four soldiers captive and would hand them over this week to the government.
Army privates Alex Eumug, Neil Cagal, Arnel Dibaudin and Wilfredo Castillo "are being treated humanely," Kabalu assured.
In the wake of the encounters this week, Kabalu warned that the delayed negotiations could be pushed back even further if the military did not let up in its operations in MILF communities.
Deadly clashes first broke out on Saturday when government troops in pursuit of the Pentagon gang raided an MILF lair where the criminal group had reportedly sought refuge while the MILF said the government forces opened fire on them.
The military accused the Moro rebels of attacking its troops who were on a rescue operation for kidnap victim Norman Sia, who was snatched in
Cotabato City last Dec. 8.
The military said four soldiers and nine Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) guerrillas were killed on Tuesday after the rebels attacked troops seeking refuge in a mosque in Datu Piang.
It had said 12 soldiers and government militiamen are missing and one of its helicopters was damaged after it was fired upon by the Moro insurgents.
(December 19, 2003 issue)
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