Troops, 200 MILF fighters clash

MANILA, Philippines – After a weeklong lull, government forces clashed anew with more than 200 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels in the municipal boundaries of Wao and Bumbaran in Lanao del Sur.

This was the first time in more than two months that soldiers encountered such a big number of MILF rebels since the group splintered due to intense pursuit operations being conducted by the military.

Maj. Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman for the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command, said in a report that troops from the 29th Infantry Battalion were conducting clearing operations when they encountered the rebels under a still undetermined leader.

No casualty was reported on the military side but Cabangbang said that a still undetermined number of rebels were either killed or wounded in the daylong clash that resulted in the evacuation of some 300 civilians to safer areas.

He said they have deployed artillery units to provide heavy firepower to target the rebels’ position. They have also pre-positioned two UH-1H helicopters to provide close air support to the ground troops.

He said the rebels might have concentrated in these areas to divert the military’s attention from the ongoing pursuit operations against fugitive MILF commanders Ameril Umbra Kato, Abdurahman Macapaar alias Commander Bravo, and Aleem Sulaiman alias Commander Pangalian.

Early this month, the army deployed a company-size unit, composed of at least a hundred men in the areas near Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon to prevent possible MILF attacks.

Intelligence reports of MILF presence in these areas prompted the deployment as a preemptive measure.

Peace process in jeopardy

Meanwhile, Malacañang said the latest attacks by the MILF rebels are jeopardizing efforts to revive the peace talks.

Press Secretary Jesus Dureza, however, said authorities are still verifying the details of the attacks.

“The negotiations (with the MILF), if they resume, will be preceded by dialogues with communities apart from the military and Philippine National Police law enforcement campaign versus recalcitrant (MILF) members to see to it that we preserve the gains of the peace process,” Dureza said.

He said there is a need for communities to feel secure and for the top leaders of the MILF to show they have full control of their forces to create an environment conducive to peace negotiations.

“Disruptions like these will be handled by the law enforcement sector,” he said. “If there are security threats, we must be able to protect our citizens and run after troublemakers.”

He said the government will view the latest violence “as factors in determining whether we will resume actual peace talks, with basis also on output of dialogues.”

He said, however, the latest violence will not stop President Arroyo from leaving for New York to attend an interfaith forum at the United Nations organized by Saudi Arabia.

Mrs. Arroyo nearly cancelled her trip to New York in September to attend the UN General Assembly when the talks collapsed and fighting worsened between government troops and the MILF rebels.

Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process Hermogenes Esperon Jr. earlier said the government will not be rushed into resuming talks with the rebels despite calls from some sectors to do so.

Esperon said the government is determined to achieve peace in Mindanao but the situation must first be stabilized and consultations with stakeholders must be completed. – Paolo Romero