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Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Military, MILF sustain truce in Central Mindanao
By Bong Garcia
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- A top Army official said the ceasefire agreement between the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is holding up in Central Mindanao despite the ongoing offensive against those behind the July 10 ambush in Basilan.
Major General Raymundo Ferrer, chief of the Army's 6th Infantry Division based in Central Mindanao, said: "It is in compliance with the guidance of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to uphold the supremacy of the peace process despite the offensive against lawless elements and Abu Sayyafs."
Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo
Thousands of troops under Task Force Thunder are pursuing the July 10 ambush perpetrators. The attackers were tagged as members of the al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf bandits with backing from some MILF rebels.
Ferrer disclosed they have noted movements of some MILF rebels in Central Mindanao but these were defensive moves and not hostile acts.
"On our side, we also do some preparations in case there will be hostile or provocative actions by the other groups there," Ferrer said.
He said there were instances when MILF leaders just suddenly appeared in some areas without coordination with military.
The ceasefire agreement, according to him, is being sustained because of the strong presence of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in Central Mindanao.
The government and MILF panels are talking peace aimed at ending the decades-old hostilities in Mindanao since 2001, when both sides entered into a ceasefire agreement.
Ferrer said they immediately inform the joint Committee on Ceasefire and Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), composed of government and MILF representatives, every time they note uncoordinated movements by MILF forces in Central Mindanao.
"Usually, they take action to prevent any skirmishes between the AFP (Armed Force of the Philippines) and the MILF," Ferrer said.
He said the possibility of a third party sabotaging the peace process is remote, saying the peace talks "mechanism is working down to the tactical level."
He said there are already established Joint Monitoring Action Teams (JMATs) in conflict-affected areas in Central Mindanao areas, like the provinces of Maguindanao and North Cotabato.
The JMAT is composed of representatives from the military, police, MILF, and the Bantay Ceasefire, a non-government organization.
The military said 14 Marine troopers, 10 of them beheaded, were killed while nine others wounded when Abu Sayyaf bandits allegedly backed by MILF rebels ambushed government soldiers last July 10 in Barangay Ginanta, Al-Barka, Basilan.
The MILF said it was not an ambush but a legitimate encounter, and accused Marine troops of entering their area without prior coordination, said to be a ceasefire violation.
Also, MILF rebels denied beheading the Marine soldiers, saying they immediately left the war scene. (Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Baguio. (August 28, 2007 issue)
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