Two-day cease-fire in S. Philippines

Two-day cease-fire in S. Philippines

COTABATO, Philippines (AFP): The Philippine military announced yesterday a 48-hour unilateral cease-fire to its offensive against Moslem rebels in areas around this southern city.

The cease-fire started yesterday, said Maj. Gen. Raul Urgello, head of an armed forces task force fielded by President Fidel Ramos to combat kidnap gangs in the southern Philippines.

The announcement came after almost three weeks of a military campaign against members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front believed by the military to be behind kidnappings in the region.