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Filippino government expects MILF to punish renegades
 MALACAÃANG said on Tuesday that it expected the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to punish its renegade members who attacked an Army base in Maguindanao province and assured the Muslim rebel group that peace talks would continue. "We are expecting the MILF leadership to impose sanctions on those who instigated the attack," Press secretary Ignacio Bunye said in a statement. "Nevertheless, we assure that the skirmishes will not in any way affect the on-going peace negotiations," he added.Fighting between the MILF guerillas and government troops erupted Sunday night in the province after the rebels overran an Army base to avenge the death of one of their commanders. At least 21 combatants were killed, reports said. A ceasefire between government soldiers and the MILF rebels has been in place for 17 months. Both parties are set to resume peace negotiations this year. Bunye said international peace monitors and the government and the MILF joint ceasefire committees are looking into the incident. The military and police are pursuing the attackers and order in the area is being restored, Bunye said. "The renegades will be held accountable for the treacherous attack," he added. Posted by: Dan Darling 2005-01-11 |
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