Gov't, MILF enforce pact on reduction of explosive devices

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the largest Muslim rebel group in the Philippines, and the government have started recently the implementation of their agreement to reduce landmines and other explosive remnants of war in Mindanao, the rebel group said today.

The initiative, which has been launched in Mother Kabuntalan town in southern Philippine province of Maguindanao, is attended by representatives from the government and MILF as well as their partners, the Philippine Campaign to Ban Landmines (PCBL) and the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD), said Timuay Melanio Ulama, a member of the MILF peace negotiating panel board of consultants.

The MILF is the first armed group in the world who committed to ban the use of landmines, he added.

The government and the MILF forged in October last year the Bangsamoro, a new political entity to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, in their framework agreement, a road map aiming to end the four decades armed struggle in the southern Philippines.