Gov't mulling resumption of peace talks with MILF

MANILA, Philippines – The government is now studying the possibility of resuming the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that broke down following the outbreak of hostilities in Central Mindanao last July.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the issue was taken up during yesterday’s National Security Council-Cabinet meeting in response to proposals from various sectors to revive the peace negotiations with the MILF.

“We reviewed the conditions under which there is a probability of resuming the talks because there are some sectors asking for the resumption of talks and having a ceasefire because of the ongoing police and military operations,” Ermita said.

He said the calls must be studied in light of the new paradigm on the conduct of peace negotiations introduced by President Arroyo, that all peace dialogues would shift from armed groups to the affected communities.

Mrs. Arroyo also said the talks must be centered on disarmament, demobilization and rehabilitation of rebels.

“So because of that we’re going to consult among ourselves again and come up with a recommendation as to how to respond to the clamor from a few sectors from Mindanao for ceasing entirely the (military) operations and resuming talks,” Ermita said.

Ermita said the NSC would have to consider the actions of the MILF leadership against its commanders that were behind the bloody rampage in Central Mindanao last month.

Suspected MILF rebels attacked and torched several houses in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao last Monday.

Maj. Randolf Cabangbang, spokesman of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom), said a group of rebels led by Commander Ayob and Commander Wahid swooped down on a village in Barangay Daplawan late Monday.

The rebels retreated when government troops arrived in the village and repulsed the attackers with mortar fire.

Cabangbang said the two rebel leaders led the attack under orders from MILF commander Ameril Umbra Kato, one of the most wanted rebel leaders who led the bloody rampage in Central Mindanao last July.

Cabangbang said the attack occurred near the position of the Army’s 62nd Division Reconnaissance Company in Barangay Daplawan.

The rebels retreated to Sitio Tina, Barangay Gawang and split into smaller groups when government troops fired mortar rounds at their position.

The attacks came after rebels torched a day care center and attacked two villages in Sarangani province last Friday.

The military said the rebels were led by a certain Commander Binago of the MILF’s 105th Base Command, the same rebel unit that attacked the village in Datu Saudi Ampatuan last Monday.

Reports said the attacks were meant to divert the attention of government troops hunting down Kato and Abdulrahman Macapaar, alias Commander Bravo.

The military, on the other hand, is now looking into reports of mergers among various MILF groups to consolidate their forces in preparation for another attack.

Brig. Gen. Jorge Segovia, Armed Forces assistant deputy chief for operations, said they have received reports that some members of the MILF’s 104th and 107th base commands have joined the 105th Base Command.

The 104th and 107th Base Commands operate in the towns of Palembang in South Cotabato and Sarangani, respectively.

Local leaders and residents have been urging authorities to intensify the manhunt against the MILF commanders.

Kato and Bravo led the bloody rampage in the villages of North Cotabato and Lanao del Sur last July that left scores of people killed and thousands injured and homeless.

The government has put up a P20-million bounty for the capture of Kato and Bravo as police and the military intensified the manhunt.

The military said it has no time frame in its manhunt for the MILF commanders.

Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, spokesman of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said they have been receiving persistent feedback that Kato and his men have started regrouping to launch attacks in Shariff Kabunsuan and Maguindanao,

“The 6th ID is not taking chances. Our units will do everything to stop Kato and his men from pestering villages of unarmed people,” Ando said.

Central Mindanao Police director Chief Superintendent Felizardo Serapio Jr. said 19 more criminal charges have been filed against Kato and Bravo.

Serapio said the additional charges stemmed from the forced evacuation and destruction of property of thousands of civilians left homeless by the attacks.

The rampage forced 16,855 civilians to flee to evacuation centers and there were 10,100 others displaced.

“Attacks on civilians, especially children, are deplorable acts that will not earn sympathy but only condemnation,” Serapio added.

Task Force PALMA Legal Offensives chairman Chief Superintendent Felicisimo Khu Jr. said a total of 166 cases have been filed against the rebel leaders and their men.

There are 68 cases of arson, 62 robbery in band, four for murder, 18 attempted murder, two serious illegal detention, and cattle rustling, he said.

Most of the 125 cases occurred in the attacks at Aleosan, North Cotabato, Khu said. –With Jaime Laude, James Mananghaya, John Unson, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Roel Pareño