Fighting erupts between RP troops, Moro rebels

Fighting erupts between RP troops, Moro rebels

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP): Heavy fighting between
Philippine government troops and Moro rebels erupted again
yesterday in the southern Philippines, but the government said it
expected cease-fire negotiations to begin soon.

As the fighting broke out in three remote villages in the
south, an aide to President Fidel Ramos said in Manila that the
cease-fire talks could begin next week.

"We're proceeding with the talks and we're looking at early
next week, after All Souls' Day (Nov. 2)," said Executive
Secretary Ruben Torres. "We have asked our agreed liaison persons
to work on the schedule."

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), with an officially
estimated 10,000 fighters, is the last major insurgent group
still fighting in the Mindanao region after Manila signed a peace
treaty with the Moro National Liberation Front last month.

Fighting with the MILF broke out simultaneously yesterday in
three remote villages near the town of Tipo-Tipo but no
casualties were immediately reported.

The government also received unconfirmed reports that a
smaller Moslem faction, the Abu Sayyaf, had joined forces with
the MILF, said military spokesman Fredesvindo Covarrubias.

The Abu Sayyaf is held responsible for kidnappings and
bombings in the south, including the pillaging of a Christian
town last year in which at least 50 people were killed.

Southern command military chief Ruperto Ambil has ordered
field commanders to pursue MILF rebels "without let-up," as the
MILF leadership expressed skepticism about the government's call
for cease-fire negotiations.

"We feel doubtful on the real intention of the government.
They offered an interim cease-fire and they attack Basilan," said
MILF vice-chairman for military affairs Al-haj Murad. He was
referring to the government's attack last week on a rebel base in
Basilan, forcing some 200 rebels to flee.

But government emissaries have been holding preliminary talks
with MILF representatives, and "the moment we get an interim
cease-fire agreed, then all these military activities and
operations in the areas claimed by the MILF ... will stop,"
Torres said.

The MILF is a splinter group of the Moro National Liberation
Front, which ended its 24-year armed separatist bid with last
month's peace treaty that will give Moslems a large measure of
autonomy in the south.

The MILF is now considered the government's biggest threat to
peace in the southern Philippines.

Yesterday's fighting began after a military patrol engaged a
group of between 20 and 30 MILF rebels who had been set to ambush
them, Covarrubias said.

He claimed the gunmen were former rebels turned bandits who
entered Tipo-Tipo town and planned to "kidnap teachers and extort
money."

But the MILF leadership said they were still part of their
movement. Covarrubias said the military had not received orders
from Manila to cease the assault.