GMA: Talks with MILF on track despite clashes

The government’s scheduled peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) next month remained on track despite a spate of deadly clashes in Maguindanao, President Arroyo said yesterday.

"This is an isolated situation that will not derail the peace process," Mrs. Arroyo said.

"The ceasefire committees of both sides are also actively engaged in dialogue, so that potential hostilities will not escalate," she added.

Guns fell silent in the area as both sides returned to a ceasefire yesterday following clashes that killed at least 15 people.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) vice chief Lt. Gen. Rodolfo Garcia said both sides renewed their commitment to a July 19 truce and agreed to halt fighting in Datu Piang and Talayan towns that has killed at least six soldiers and nine guerrillas since Monday.

The fighting broke out after MILF guerrillas attacked government troops who were pursuing members of the notorious Pentagon kidnap-for-ransom gang from fleeing the area.

The military has accused the MILF of protecting the kidnappers.

However, "the fighting has largely subsided," Garcia said.

"We’re optimistic ... accusations and counter accusations will be resolved in the ceasefire mechanism."

Datu Jun Mantawil, a key member of the MILF’s ceasefire committee, said the guerrillas will turn over the four soldiers they captured last Monday during the height of the encounters.

"So far the guns are now silent and the main concern now of GRP and MILF’s ceasefire committees is the restoration of normalcy in the conflict areas," Mantawil said.

The four soldiers, Army Pfc. Alex Yumag and Pvts. Neil Lagat, Arnel Dibaudin and Wilfredo Castillaño, were captured by the rebels while searching for kidnapped car dealer Norman Sia and his abductors.

The military said four soldiers and nine MILF guerrillas were killed on Tuesday after the rebels attacked troops seeking refuge in a mosque near the town of Datu Piang.

Twelve soldiers and government militiamen were also missing and one of its helicopters had also been damaged.

"The MILF rebels fired on the chopper and caused slight damage" to the aircraft, Lt. Col. Fredesvindo Covarrubias of the Army’s 4th Civil Relations Group said.

The aircraft landed safely and no casualties were reported. Covarrubias said the UH-IH helicopter was attacked while conducting reconnaissance on a gang that kidnapped Sia.

MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said the involvement of their men in the hostilities were "reactionary in nature." -AFP, John Unson, Roel Pareño