Government, MILF exchange peace overture

COTABATO CITY , Philippines   – The suspension of military actions the Moro Islamic Liberation Front declared late Saturday, seeks “the revitalization of ceasefire mechanisms” stipulated in all of its preliminary security agreements with government to fully restore normalcy in war-torn areas in the South.

The MILF-styled SOMA, signed as General Order 003-09-A by the front’s chieftain, Al-Haj Murad, was distributed Saturday night to different radio stations here for massive dissemination.

Local officials in Maguindanao have confirmed that MILF forces positioned around the neighboring towns of Datu Piang, Guindulungan, Talayan and Datu Saudi towns have started repositioning away from strategic areas which they have used as launching sites for guerilla attacks on soldiers manning the surroundings of the three towns.

However, Murad,in their SOMA, ordered his followers to “maintain a defensive posture and “exercise right to self-defense” if attacked, apparently referring to a provision in President Arroyo’s suspension of military offensive against the MILF, which explicitly states that the Philippine National Police, with the support of the Armed Forces, shall continue the hunt for rogue rebels Ameril Ombra Kato, Abdullah Macapaar and Alim Pangalian.        – John Unson