Philippine military decries continued Muslim rebel attacks

Asia-Pacific News

Jul 9, 2008, 5:34 GMT

Manila - The Philippine military lamented Wednesday the unabated attacks by Muslim separatist rebels in the country's troubled south despite a ceasefire, saying it showed the weakness of the guerrilla leadership to control its forces. Armed forces chief General Alexander Yano said that in the two months from May 1 to June 30, rebels from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) initiated 40 attacks against military outposts and eight attacks on power facilities. 'These attacks may be ineffective because they have not really inflicted casualties but we feel that this is a sign of weakness of MILF leadership,' he said. Yano added the attacks showed the MILF was a 'loose organization' and did not have 'a solid and cohesive leadership.' He said he ordered troops 'to stretch their patience' in dealing with the MILF attacks in keeping with the government's mandate to ensure the primacy of the peace process. The hostilities in the strife-torn southern region of Mindanao have erupted despite a five-year ceasefire agreement between the MILF and the Philippine government. The truce has become precarious amid the continued suspension of peace talks between the two sides since December over disagreements on the scope of territory of a proposed Muslim homeland. MILF commanders have expressed impatience in the peace talk delay accused the government of lack of sincerity in achieving a lasting peace in Mindanao, home to the country's Muslim minority.

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Philippine military decries continued Muslim rebel attacks

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