Clash in Maguindanao not imperil peace talks: rebel chief

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Moro Islamic Liberation Front remained confident that their peace talks with the government would continue despite a fierce firefight in Maguindanao yesterday that left dozens of policemen dead, a rebel chief said today.

The death toll in the first violence this year involving government troops and MILF rebels reached 50, according to rebel source.

Von Al Haq, chief of MILF's Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, the rebel's military wing, described the incident as "very isolated case" and could not affected the peace negotiation.

"It's another story if the police went to the area and their main target is our forces. I am confident the peace negotiation will not be affected,"he said.

MILF militants has been fighting government troops for decades to establish a self-rule Muslim state in southern Philippines.

The Aquino government and the 11,800-strong rebel group formally signed the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro on March 27, 2014 at the Malacañan Palace in Manila, ending 40 years of conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and stalled economic development in areas affected by fighting.