ZAMBOANGA CITY, 18 August 2004 — At least three people were killed in a clash between government troops and suspected separatist rebels ahead of peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), officials said yesterday.
Officials said fighting erupted when guerillas attacked soldiers who were checking reports that unidentified gunmen had killed two civilians in the village of Dapiawan in Ampatuan, Maguindanao. Two of the gunmen were killed along with a soldier, military spokesman Lt. Col. Daniel Lucero tsaid.Lucero said the military had reported the incident to the government-MILF cease-fire coordinating committee, adding: “We’re hoping that this incident won’t derail the peace process.”
MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said, however, that the shootout was connected to a family feud within the predominantly Muslim community, which may have involved some MILF members and government militia.
“This has no bearing at all (on the peace talks) unless the military blows it out of proportion,” Kabalu said in a telephone interview. He said the militias, led by the village chieftain Datu Limon, attacked a group of men they blamed for the weekend killing of two of their companions. “The MILF forces in the Ampatuan were ordered to stay away from trouble, but remain vigilant,” Kabalu said.
Manila has signed a cease-fire agreement with the MILF in 2002, but despite the truce sporadic fighting still continue in remote villages in the strife-torn region.
The military accusation came two days after the MILF announced it would resume talks this week with Filipino negotiators in Malaysia in an effort to hasten the peace process. The MILF also said it would embark on a massive campaign next month to orient its members about the peace process.
Officials said they were awaiting word from the Malaysian government on the date for the talks.
