Government and MILF reach truce after 4-day of fighting in Cotabato

Fighting between government troops and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters stopped after a truce was declared Sunday in Midsayap, North Cotabato, officials said.

Maj. Gen. Dato’ Mohammad Ismael bin Ahmad Khan, Von Al-Haq of the MILF coordinating Committee on Cessation of Hostilities (CCCh) and Brig. Gen. Edgardo Gurrea, chief the government CCCH, signed a resolution declaring a truce.

The agreement primarily called on the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the MILF in the area to immediately cease and decease from firing each other and strictly adhere to the General Ceasefire Agreement signed in Cagayan de Oro City in 1997.

Sheik Abbas Curanding, chief of the MILF Central Mindanao Command, said they have ordered all their fighters “to stand down” following the declaration of ceasefire by both parties.

Meanwhile, AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon also ordered Army troops to stop their operation against MILF forces in the area.

Earlier reports said sporadic clashes that erupted Thursday left three militiamen killed and several others wounded and forced some 6,000 villagers from barangays Tugal, Mudseng and Rangeban to flee their homes.

The fighting stemmed from a minor conflict between MILF forces under Kumander Yuri Sugod and members of the Civilian Volunteers Organization (CVO).

Lt. Col. Julito Ando, spokesperson of the 6th Infantry Division in Maguindanao, said hostilities began when the MILF allegedly tried to rob farmers of their rice harvest.

But MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu denied the allegation, saying the military retaliated instead of pacifying the situation.

“There has been an on and off land conflict between relatives of MILF members and armed Bantay Bayan members,” he told reporters.

Sources said MILF members are natives of the barangays while Bantay Bayan members are protecting the interests of settlers who claim ownership of lands there.

The GRP-MILF peace negotiations were stalled in the Sept. 6 and 7 talks in Kuala Lumpur last year. The two panels failed to resolve the impasse over the delimitation and delineation of territory of the "Bangsamoro Homeland." (HG)