MILF accuses AFP of violating ceasefire deal

From the Philippine Star (Apr 15): MILF accuses AFP of violating ceasefire deal

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Monday accused the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) of violating the ceasefire agreement, days after the conclusion of its 37th round of formal talks with the government.

In a statement, the MILF said about 40 Army soldiers had attacked its forces this morning in Sitio Badja Maluha, Barangay Baguindan, in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan.

“Firefight ensued for nearly 30 minutes between the MILF forces under Ustaz Hamzah Sapanton, Provincial Committee Chairman, and the raiding government forces numbering to more or less 40 men,” said Abbas Salung, member of the MILF ceasefire committee.

“The encounter had already ceased but actions must be undertaken by the government to avoid recurrence of the firefight between the government and MILF forces,” he added.

Sapanton, leader of the troops that allegedly attacked by the Army, said the incident clouds the government’s sincerity in the peace talks.

“Clearly there is a deliberate act to undermine the ceasefire and the peace talks between the government and MILF, which only compounds the increasing doubts of the public over the sincerity of the government in the peace process,” Sapanton was quoted by the statement as saying.

The incident has been reported to the MILF headquarters at camp Darapanan in Maguindanao. The MILF leadership has asked its ceasefire panel to file the necessary complaint for ceasefire violations.

The incident occurred four days after the government and MILF completed the 37th formal exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Both panels agreed to settle the remaining issues on power-sharing, wealth sharing and normalization during the meeting. Both sides also approved the terms of reference for the Sajahatra Bangsamoro, a program that seeks to promote development in Mindanao.

Earlier, the MILF and the government reported that there were no encounters between their forces last year due to the effective implementation of the ceasefire.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/04/15/930964/milf-accuses-afp-violating-ceasefire-deal