“Peace talks with the rebels collapsed late last year after two MILF commanders led their men in attacking several mostly Christian towns and provinces on Mindanao island.” Displacing half a million people.
Filipino Jihad Update: “Muslim Clashes In Philippines Kill 10,” from AFP, March 2 (thanks to Twostellas):
COTABATO, Philippines (AFP)–At least ten people have been killed during clashes between Muslim rebels and troops in two days of fighting in the restive southern Philippines, officials said Monday.
Troops clashed with 30 Moro Islamic Liberation Front, or MILF, rebels outside the town of Kabuntulan on Mindanao island Monday, leading to eight enemy casualties, said local army spokesman Col. Jonathan Ponce.
On Sunday, two soldiers were killed in a clash with another MILF unit on the island, the military headquarters in Manila said.
The soldiers had been sent to check on reports that MILF rebels were harassing civilians in Kabuntulan when they were ambushed.…
Peace talks with the rebels collapsed late last year after two MILF commanders led their men in attacking several mostly Christian towns and provinces on Mindanao island.
The attacks left over half a million people displaced, and scores of civilians dead and came after the courts stopped a proposed land deal that would have given the MILF control over a large area of territory.
The government said it is prepared to resume talks with the MILF, and has replaced its peace negotiating panel with a new set of officials….
Why is the Filipino government still disposed to negotiate with the MILF after how it has acted? Does no government anywhere have any spine?