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Monday, April 17, 2006
Muslim rebels protest alleged military attack
COTABATO -- Muslim guerrillas have protested an attack on one of their strongholds that killed a rebel and shattered months of calm, blaming it on the army and pro-government militias, a rebel spokesman said Sunday.
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front, who are engaged in Malaysian-brokered peace talks with the government, protested the alleged attack before a government-rebel investigating committee on Saturday, rebel spokesman Eid Kabalu said.
The militias, backed by army troops, attacked a group of MILF guerrillas in Molita town in southern North Cotabato Saturday, sparking a clash that killed a rebel and wounded three others, Kabalu said.
It was not clear if there were casualties on the government side. Military officials were not immediately available for comment.
The MILF fought for self-rule in the impoverished southern Mindanao region for more than two decades, but a ceasefire has been in place since 2003. The military estimates the group has 11,000 fighters.
The long absence of fighting has allowed the government and the guerrillas to make headway in peace talks. Both sides are optimistic they will soon resolve the thorny issue of the rebels' territorial rights. The government has predicted that a peace accord could be signed this year.
Kabalu said the clash would probably not disrupt the peace process, set to resume in Malaysia next month.
"The situation has been pacified. There is no danger it will spread and affect the peace talks," Kabalu said. (AP)
(April 17, 2006 issue)
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