Talks With Guerrillas Fail to Finalize Pact
Philippine government negotiators and Muslim separatist guerrillas wrapped up fresh peace talks in neighboring Malaysia but failed to reach an expected agreement on developing war-ravaged regions and resolving Muslim claims to ancestral lands.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front signed a cease-fire in August, but the MILF claims that the military has violated the truce at least 12 times, resulting in sporadic skirmishes. The government denies it and has blamed the rebels for sparking the battles.
At the start of the latest talks Thursday, both sides signed an agreement to safeguard the cease-fire by setting up joint monitoring teams, which are expected to start work before the end of the month.
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