MILF Explains Attack as Manila Suspects Truce Offer Just a Ruse
Mama Gubal & Reuters

SULTAN KUDARAT, Philippines, 31 May 2003 — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) yesterday cited poor communication systems to explain an attack by its fighters in the southern Philippines a day after the rebel group declared a 10-day cease-fire.

“The attack on military detachments in the province of North Cotabato on Thursday was an isolated case,” said MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu, reacting to charges that the MILF was not sincere in its cease-fire offer.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo yesterday dismissed the peace overture as a “ploy and a tactical ruse” after the MILF attack in Carmen town of North Cotabato, killing three soldiers and five civilians.

“We will not stand for double talk. It is clear at this point that the declaration of cease-fire by the MILF is a ploy and a tactical ruse,” Arroyo said in a statement.

“Unless proof of sincerity is shown, punitive actions will continue until we are assured that far-flung communities are safe from harassment,” Arroyo warned.

The MILF said on Wednesday it would start a 10-day cease-fire on June 2 to give peace a chance on the southern island of Mindanao, which is home to about eight million Muslims in the overwhelmingly Christian nation of 82 million people.

Arroyo welcomed the move the same day, calling it a positive development.

Kabalu said their leaders were still trying to reach all commanders to tell them to stop fighting. He said the guerrillas involved in the Carmen attack were “already on the ground a day before the declaration came out and still unaware of the new order.”

He said efforts to recall them failed because there was no communication signal in the area.

Kabalu said the MILF set the cease-fire declaration to take effect on June 2 precisely to give their leadership sufficient time to communicate with the unit commanders, particularly those in remote and far flung areas.

He also accused the army of conducting a fierce offensive against an MILF camp on Mindanao on Thursday.

“They unleashed 72 rounds of bombs. More than 10 houses were burned, including a mosque,” he told Reuters by telephone. “Despite this, the declaration of the MILF of a suspension of military action on June 2 will hold.”

Arroyo, who returned from a recent visit to Washington with pledges of more US military aid, said on Thursday MILF leaders must deliver a signed document that the group “unequivocally and unambiguously renounces terrorism”.

She said the rebels also must renounce any links with known terror organizations.