2 soldiers escorting OIC mission killed

COTABATO CITY – Two soldiers were killed and 11 others wounded after Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels ambushed an Army unit awaiting a fact-finding mission from the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) along Secretary Narciso Ramos Highway in Kapa-tagan town, Lanao del Sur yesterday.

In Lanao del Norte, at least five MILF guerrillas were slain in a two-hour firefight after Army troops repulsed 100 MILF raiders who tried to retake their former stronghold in Apo Hill in Balo-i town last night

Maj. Julieto Ando, spokesman for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the separatist rebels, positioned on both sides of Narciso Ramos Highway, opened fire at the soldiers approaching the site where the OIC team would be turned over to new military escorts.

"The reception team was sent to Kapatagan by the 4th ID to receive from us the visiting OIC officials," he said. "But even before the protective turnover of the visitors could take place, our counterparts on the other side were ambushed by MILF rebels."

Ando said the rebels could have targetted the OIC convoy but were engaged in a firefight by troops from the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, who were at the scene to receive the dignitaries.

Ando said the ambush occurred a day after the OIC mission refused an invitation by MILF supporters to join a pro-independence rally at the city’s plaza last Wednesday.

"This incident just showed how treacherous the MILF is," he said.

Ando said the OIC mission toured Cotabato City and parts of Maguindanao for two days to inspect livelihood projects in communites controlled by the Moro National Liberation Front.

Ando said the ambush forced local authorities to close the highway’s Kapatagan portion to motorists, stranding passengers commuting between Malawi-Malabang and Marawi-Cotabato.

The OIC mission was passing by Kapatagan yesterday enroute to Marawi City, he added.

Army spokesman Maj. Johnny Macanas told reporters the military did not suffer any casualty in the encounter between government troops and MILF rebels in Balo-i town.

Also in Lanao del Norte, a rebel was killed after some 50 MILF guerrillas attacked an Army detachment in Kauswagan town yesterday morning.

In Congress, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. urged the government to work out a mutual ceasefire with the MILF to revive the stalled peace talks.

Pimentel, chairman of the Senate committee on local government, said Malacanang’s efforts to persuade the MILF to return to the negotiating table will go nowhere unless the rebels put an end to jihad and government troops stop their pursuit operations.

"It seems that the government wants to shoot the MILF first and continue the shooting before we talk with rebels," he said. "My position is that we should stop the shooting first and proceed to talk with the MILF. The advantage is that there would be lessening of the loss of lives and destruction of properties."

Pimentel said President Estrada has offered amnesty to MILF members and ordered the withdrawal of criminal charges against MILF chairman Salamat Hashim, vice chairman for military affairs Al Hajj Murad, and spokesman Eid Kabalu in connection with the recent terrorist bombings in Metro Manila and General Santos City.

"All of these moves are in the right direction," he said. "The only step lacking is a call for a mutual ceasefire. If the government will offer a ceasefire, there is good reason to believe the MILF will respond positively."

Pimentel advised the President to consult the National Security Council before deciding on the MILF’s proposal to hold peace negotiations in a "neutral" country, and to have talks brokered by an foreign mediator.

President Estrada must include respected leaders from Mindanao once he reconstitutes the government peace panel, he added. – John Unson, Lino de la Cruz