Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


    October 26, 2011

Clashes in Philippines Could Threaten Government Peace Talks

   Simone Orendain | Manila

   Philippine defense officials say fighting between government forces and
   the country's largest Muslim rebel group has displaced some 20,000
   residents of two southern provinces. The fighting is happening even
   though the two sides are in the midst of peace talks.
   The government says it is conducting operations to root out what it
   calls criminal elements in areas claimed by the Moro Islamic Liberation
   Front (MILF). Government forces say they are after current and former
   commanders of the MILF and members of the much smaller, Abu Sayyaf
   group, accused of killing soldiers and carrying out kidnappings for
   ransom.
   During the first violent operation last week, the MILF said the
   military crossed into its area without alerting the rebel group
   beforehand. The group claimed responsibility for killing 19 soldiers,
   saying it was defending itself.
   Rommel Banlaoi is a terrorism research and security studies expert. He
   says there are indications that the government in fact did not properly
   notify the rebels about the operation.
   'I think they made some lapses by not coordinating with the MILF," said
   Banlaoi. "I think the Philippines has learned its lesson well and the
   AFP is more nuanced now in terms of running after lawless elements.'
   President Benigno Aquino responded to the incident by firing two
   military officials. Earlier this week he declared that justice would be
   served against those criminal elements responsible.
   Following the violence, Aquino reiterated that peace negotiations will
   continue despite calls from national politicians to suspend the
   ceasefire and go to war against the MILF.
   MILF Vice Chairman Ghazali Jaafar said in a statement that the group
   remains committed to the peace process and upholding the ceasefire. He
   says the MILF is convinced by the president's sincerity.
   Asia Foundation Country Director Steven Rood says so far the operations
   have not had a negative impact on the talks. But, he says, this could
   change.
   'There is still the danger that these kinds of sparks could continue to
   spread," said Rood. "The fact of the matter is that the military and
   the MILF have different accounts of what is going on and the extent to
   which the activities are permitted or not permitted by the ceasefire.
   And so while we're still in that phase of trying to sort it out, we do
   have the possibility of further escalation.'
   The two sides are scheduled to hold peace talks next month, following a
   three-month hiatus after both sides reached an impasse.

   **In an earlier version of this story we incorrectly reported that
   Rommel Banlaoi is a member of the International Monitoring Team. He is
   a terrorism research and security studies expert. VOA regrets the
   error.