PIKIT, North Cotabato, 19 November — Fighting could erupt again in Central Mindanao because of persistent offensive operations by government forces, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has warned.
It also accused the military of repeatedly issuing "provocative statements" that tend to undermine the MILF, an act that makes a mockery of the cease-fire signed by government and separatist peace negotiators.
"The situation remains volatile here as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) continue to pour in more troops," MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said yesterday in Pikit, where army soldiers and separatist fighters clashed on Saturday.
Kabalu said elements of army’s 602nd Brigade, backed by armored personnel carriers, reportedly assaulted MILF positions at Barangay Bulol in Pikit, resulting in more than an hour of heavy exchanges of gunfire.
Kabalu claimed that five army soldiers were killed in action and 10 more were wounded. He said only one MILF fighter was injured.
As a result of the alleged military assault, the MILF has placed its fighters throughout Mindanao to go on "red alert," the spokesman said.
"Acting chief of staff of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces Sammy Al Mansoor reiterated an earlier issuance made by chief of staff Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim effecting a defensive posture in the light of the ongoing peace talks…" he added.
The talks, however, had been stalled on who would manage the rehabilitation and economic development projects to be introduced in areas affected by the conflict.
Kabalu said agreement signed between the two sides in Tripoli Libya several months ago clearly provides that management of those projects shall be the responsibility of the MILF.
He said the government wants a "partnership" but the MILF finds it unacceptable and contrary to the letter and spirit of the agreement.
