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.