Peace crisis
October 20, 2011
The bodies of six more soldiers have been recovered after a fierce gun battle broke out between the Philippine army and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front this week.
Colonel Antonio Parlade said that the soldiers had been captured and then killed. Two other soldiers, who were reported as missing after the clashes, were also found on Wednesday. Five rebel leaders were also killed.
"We shall not only file ceasefire violations against the rebels, but also murder chargers against their members who are responsible for killing and wounding our soldiers," military commander Lieutenant General Raymundo Ferrer said.
For his part, MILF spokesman Von Al Haq denied his organization had incited the violence, saying that the fighting had erupted after government soldiers stepped into rebel territory. He confirmed that five of his men had been killed and said no soldier had been taken hostage.
'Accidental' clash
Government negotiator Mavic Leonen described the clash as "accidental" and confirmed that ongoing peace talks would continue. The President of the Philippines Benigno Aquino called a meeting with the country's defense chief and security officials to discuss the implications of the skirmish.
Since the 1970s, the MILF has waged a bloody insurgency in the southern region of Mindanao, the homeland of minority Muslims who want self-rule. Most of the Philippines' population is Roman Catholic. The conflict has killed more than 120,000 people in nearly four decades.
The MILF has also been linked to the Abu Sayyaf gang, which is known to be connected with al Qaeda and is active in Basilan, which is also predominantly Muslim.
The deadliest clashes in the conflict happened in 2008 when rebel groups stormed several Christian towns in Mindanao, killing more than 400 people. Since then, Malaysian peacekeepers have been monitoring the situation to prevent further battles.
Author: Manasi Gopalakrishnan (AFP, AP)
Editor: Anne Thomas