Cease-fire declared in irrigation battle

Cease-fire declared in irrigation battle

MANILA (Reuter): Government forces and Moslem guerrillas
fighting over an irrigation project in the southern Philippines
have declared a ceasefire after 51 people died in more than two
weeks of fighting, officials said on yesterday.

"We are glad to announce that hostilities in the area have
ceased," Defense Secretary Renato de Villa said in a radio
interview.

Fighting erupted at the irrigation project in Carmen town in
North Cotabato province on Oct. 13 after guerrillas of the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) occupied the project site located
in an area considered by the rebels as their territory.

The 51 dead included 31 rebels, seven policemen and soldiers
and 13 civilians, army reports said. The MILF is a breakaway
faction of the mainstream Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)
which is fighting for Moslem autonomy in the southern islands.