Philippines halts operation against Moro rebels

KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 (KUNA) -- The Philippine army on Monday halted its offensive against rebels of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) following, ending up two weeks of heavy fighting in parts of the southern Maguindanao province.
The authorities issued an order to stop the all-out offensive against the MILF, military spokesman Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said on Monday, adding that 139 rebels were killed and 53 others killed in the operation that started more than a month before. Another 12 were captured.
The rebels were dispersed into small groups and fled the fighting into forests and remote villages after they were defeated, Cabunoc added.
The army will deploy more troops in Maguindanao to protect civilians and make sure the rebels would not return.
Since rebels have been driven away, the army will focus attention on a new phase of rebuilding, peace and development, he stressed.
Operations against the BIFF started February 25 when the rebels started encroaching on civilian communities in Maguindanao and North Cotabato.
Following about 17 years of negotiations, MILF and the Philippine government last year signed a comprehensive agreement for peace. Under the agreement, the rebels were supposed to turn over their firearms and decommission their forces, in return for an autonomous region that accounts for about 10 percent of the country. The deal was rejected by many insurgents who went on fighting the government. (end) ab.msa