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Philippine Muslim Rebels Declares Truce
The Philippine Muslim rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Sunday announced a truce with government troops starting Tuesday in preparation for the resumption of peace talks with the government.
The MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu declared that "the suspension of military action will begin this Tuesday and will last probably until a peace accord with the (President Gloria Macapagal-) Arroyo administration is finalized or until further notice", the ABSCBN news channel reported Monday.
"This is actually in implementation of the agreement the MILF signed with the government during our secret meeting in Kuala Lumpur two weeks ago," Kabalu added.
A government panel, led by Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Eduardo Ermita, signed on March 24 an accord with its MILF counterpart on the resumption of peace talks.
However, no date and venue for the negotiations have so far been designated.
Arroyo earlier ordered an indefinite suspension of military operations against the MILF to pave the way for the resumption of peace talks, which came to an abrupt halt last year when then- president Joseph Estrada launched all-out war on the Muslim secessionists.
Ermita said the peace talks with the MILF are due to start next month with Manila and Kuala Lumpur as alternating venues.
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