Manila's Arroyo says offensive under way in south

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

MANILA, Aug 13 (Reuters) Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said today a ''full offensive'' was under way against Muslim rebels on a remote southern island, but there were no immediate reports of fighting on the ground.

Nearly 60 people, including 26 soldiers, were killed in fighting on Jolo island on Thursday, and the government has vowed to end the violence.

Tension is high on Jolo and troop reinforcements have been flown in, but there have been no reports of fighting.

Arroyo reiterated the targets were ''terrorist cells'', a term the government uses to describe the Abu Sayyaf group of militants, who have been linked to al Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiah.

''Even as I speak, government forces are in a full offensive against terrorist cells in Sulu (province),'' she told a meeting of business executives in Manila.

But the gunmen who fought soldiers last week were largely from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), separatists who signed a peace deal with the government in 1996, and only some Abu Sayyaf, officials have said.

The MNLF has said its cadres were involved, claiming they were provoked by the army. Frustration has also been high within the MNLF in recent months because it claims the government is not keeping to promises made under the 1996 accord.

Analysts said the government was avoiding naming the MNLF because the group is recognised by the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the peace deal would be in jeopardy if any offensives were aimed at it.

''It was legitimate MNLF forces that the soldiers had fought with on Jolo last week,'' Julkipli Wadi, a professor on Islamic studies at the University of the Philippines, told Reuters.

''There were no Abu Sayyaf rebels there. They had been largely marginalised.'' Arroyo said the OIC was being informed of ''both the limited military operation and continued peace and development efforts''.

''We seek peace with those with peaceful intentions,'' she added.

Defence Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and General Hermogenes Esperon, the military chief, told reporters the government was committed to peace talks with the MNLF and with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the country's largest Muslin separatist group, and was only pursuing the Abu Sayyaf.

Esperon said the MNLF ''is a partner of the government in bringing about peace and development in Mindanao''.

However he added: ''There is indeed a breakaway group from the MNLF. There could be some elements who could probably be involved in some illegal activities.'' The 1996 peace agreement with the MNLF is up for review late in August when Indonesia hosts a three-party meeting of officials from the Philippine government, the MNLF and the OIC in Jakarta.

The Philippines had deployed about 10,000 troops on the two islands before flying in reinforcements to Jolo late last week.

About 100 US special forces are also on Jolo to help train the Philippine military but they are forbidden from fighting under Philippine law.

REUTERS RJ SSC1347

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