Camiling: No order yet to implement ceasefire

DAVAO CITY — Maj. Gen. Gregorio Camiling, the military’s Southern Command chief, said they have not received any directive yet to implement the ceasefire agreement which the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed in Malaysia last Tuesday.

"So far, we have not been given any directive yet. Hopefully, we will be given one soon," Camiling said.

The government and the MILF signed the implementing guidelines for the ceasefire agreement which they forged during the resumption of the peace negotiations in Tripoli, Libya last June 24.

President Arroyo hailed the signing of the ceasefire guidelines as a step that would advance the ongoing peace talks with the MILF.

Camiling noted though that based on the guidelines, the military has to draw up the implementing rules since it actually proposed portions of the agreement.

"Anyway, we have the SOMO (suspension of military operations) in place," he said.

The implementing guidelines include cessation of hostilities and security arrangements. Both parties agreed to carry out all necessary measures to normalize the peace and order situation in conflict-affected areas, and thus pave the way for the rehabilitation and development of these communities.

The joint coordinating committee on cessation of hostilities will continue to perform their powers and functions, based on the September 1997 general agreement on cessation of hostilities, in monitoring ceasefire violations.