Is This The Beginning Of A Peace Process Between The Philippine Government And Muslim Rebels?

Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leader Nur Misuari (l.) shook hands with Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza, after a court suspended a warrant for Misuari's arrest, at Jolo, in the southern Philippines, Thursday. Reuters

Reuters: Philippine president meets rebel leader after arrest warrant lifted

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte held talks with a wanted Muslim rebel leader at the presidential palace on Thursday, immediately after a court suspended a warrant for his arrest, in an effort to bolster his nationwide peace process.

Nur Misuari had been on the run since September 2013 and charged with leading a bloody rebellion, but Duterte welcomed him and the two discussed how to put an end to nearly five decades of insurgency in the south.

Misuari founded the Moro National Liberation Front in 1969.

Read more ....

Update #1: Philippine Muslim rebel leader meets Duterte (AFP)
Update #2: Can Philippine President Duterte be a peacemaker? (Zhai Yun Tan, CSM)

WNU Editor: I am sceptical that these "talks" will lead anywhere ... they have been done before. But I guess someone has to start this new round of talks.

Philippines Military Offensive Kills 37 Rebels Opposed To Mindanao Peace Deal

Philippines Military Offensive 'Kills 37 Rebels' -- BBC

At least 37 Philippine rebels have been killed in a two-day offensive in the south, the military says.

President Benigno Aquino said the offensive would protect villages from rebels in Maguindanao province.

The insurgents involved in fighting oppose a recent peace accord between the government and the larger Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Under the new deal, MILF rebels will hand over their weapons in exchange for self-rule in parts of the south.

But insurgents belonging to the breakaway rebel Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) say MILF compromised too much in the truce.

The group, which comprises a few hundred militants, say they will continue their uprising because the deal did not lead to a separate homeland for minority Muslims in the south.

Read more ....

More News On The Philippine Military Offensive Against Rebels Opposed To Mindanao Peace Deal

Dozens of Rebels Killed After Philippine Peace Deal Is Struck -- New York Times
Philippines says 37 rebels killed in offensive -- AP
Philippines Military Offensive Kills 37 Rebels -- Voice of America
Philippine Military Kills 37 Islamist Rebels Opposed To Mindanao Peace Deal -- Time
Philippines says 37 opposition fighters killed in offensive -- Al Jazeera
Death toll in S. Philippine clashes climbs to 41 -- Xinhuanet
Aquino vows to crush ‘spoiler’ rebels -- Gulf News/AFP
Maguindanao fighting rages; 38 killed -- Inquirer.net
37 Moro renegades, soldier killed in Mindanao fighting -- ABS-CBN
Philippine rebels: A challenge to peace? -- Al Jazeera

Battles Continue Between Philippine Troops And Muslim Rebels In Zamboanga City

Death Toll Climbs As Army, Militants Fight On In The Philippines -- CNN

(CNN) -- At least 158 people have been killed since fighting broke out earlier this month between separatist rebels and soldiers in the Philippines, state news reported Wednesday.

The majority of those killed, 125, were militants from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the government-run Philippines News Agency (PNA) said. Also among the reported dead were 15 members of the military, five from police, and 13 civilians.

The lengthy crisis in Zamboanga City began when large numbers of rebels from the Muslim militant group came ashore more than two weeks ago.

They took roughly 180 people hostage in coastal areas of the city. After attempts to negotiate the hostages' release failed, security forces moved in, resulting in intense bursts of fighting.

Read more ....

More News On The Continuing Conflict Between Philippine Military Forces And Muslim Rebels In Zamboanga City

Filipino troops capture dozens more Muslim rebels who ran out of ammunition in 3-week standoff -- Washington Post/AP
Battle drags on between Philippine troops and Muslim rebels -- L.A. Times
More Muslim rebels surrender in Philippines' south -- BBC
Day 18: In the battle zone, numbers don't add up -- Rappler
Signs of Normalcy Appearing in Rebel-Torn Area of Philippines -- Wall Street Journal
The Philippines: Over 100,000 Displaced Face Disease -- New York Times/AP
UN says more than 100,000 Filipinos displaced by 2-week fighting with rebels face crisis -- Washington Post/AP
UN Warns of Humanitarian Crisis in Southern Philippines -- Voice of America
'Humanitarian crisis' in battle-scarred Philippine city -- FOX News/AFP
UN: Situation In Southern Philippines 'A Humanitarian Crisis' -- RTT News

Fighting Between Philippine Military Forces And Muslim Rebels Continue

Members of the Philippine Marines hold their weapons aboard a truck as they block a road during fighting between government soldiers and Muslim rebels of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Zamboanga city in southern Philippines, Sept. 15, 2013.

Philippine President Urges Muslim Rebels to Surrender -- Voice of America

Philippine President Benigno Aquino is urging the remaining Muslim rebels in the southern city of Zamboanga to surrender and avoid further bloodshed.

His message Thursday to fighters of the Moro National Liberation Front, or MNLF, came as fresh fighting claimed the lives of eight rebels and one soldier. More than 100 have died and more than 100,000 have been displaced from their homes.

Aquino, who has said he will stay in the area until the crisis is over, also announced a $90 million reconstruction fund for Zamboanga.
​
Read more ....

More News On The Continuing Fighting Between Philippine Military Forces And Muslim Rebels

Aquino tells MNLF gunmen: Surrender now or face the full force of gov’t -- Inquirer News
Philippine president calls on rebel holdouts holding hostages in south to end the bloodshed -- Washington Post/AP
Clashes erupt as Zamboanga City airport reopens, some areas back to normal -- Inquirer
Philippine forces secure villages from rebels -- Al Jazeera America
Philippine troops kill 8 Muslim rebels in city battles -- FOX News/AFP
Philippine Mayor Wants Rebels Punished for Attack -- Wall Street Journal
Rebels lose ground in southern Philippines -- Al Jazeera
Thousands of people displaced by fighting in southern Philippines -- Catholic Online
Evacuations ordered as Mindanao fighting continues -- IRIN
AFP, MNLF have committed human-rights abuses—HRW -- Inquirer

WNU Editor: A profile on the rebel leader who started this carnage can be read here.

Fighting Spreads Between Philippine Military Forces And Muslim Rebels

Thousands Flee in South Philippines as Islamic Violence Spreads -- Bloomberg Businessweek

Clashes between Muslim rebels and Philippine troops forced about 15,000 people to flee their homes as violence spread in the nation’s south, complicating efforts to bring peace to the region after four decades of insurgency.

At least 10 people have been killed during four days of fighting between government forces and Moro National Liberation Front rebels, who hold about 100 hostages in several parts of Zamboanga city, police and military officials said. Armed men also attacked the city of Lamitan in Basilan province, a boat ride from Zamboanga, wounding three soldiers, police provincial director Senior Superintendent Mario Dapilloza said.

President Benigno Aquino sent more troops to contain the MNLF guerrillas. The violence coincides with the resumption of peace negotiations with a separate rebel group, threatening government efforts to end an insurgency that has killed about 200,000 people and stifled development in Mindanao.

Read more ....

More News On Philippine Rebels And Military Forces Fighting For The Fourth Straight Day

Philippine Rebels, Military in Fourth Day of Standoff -- Voice of America
Philippine government warns rebels to end hostage standoff soon, says it is ready to use force -- Washington Post/AP
Muslim rebel clashes spread to second southern Philippine island -- Reuters
Heavy fighting in rebel-besieged Philippine city -- FOX News/AFP
Philippines troops contain Muslim rebels as Zamboanga siege continues -- CNN
Calls for U.N. Mediation After Separatist Rebels Attack Second Philippine Town -- Time
Philippine government warns southern rebels -- Al Jazeera
Philippine Rebel at Center of Hostage Standoff in South -- Wall Street Journal
New Attack Raises Fears of Broader Threat in Philippines -- New York Times
Is the rebel attack in the Philippines a publicity ploy? -- Ralph Jennings, Christian Science Monitor
Separatist clashes in Philippines could renew insurgency -- Whitney Eulich, Christian Science Monitor

Historic Peace Deal Signed Between The Philippine Government And Muslim Rebels

Philippines, Muslim Rebels Sign Preliminary Accord -- Voice of America

MANILA — The Philippine government and the country’s largest Muslim rebel group have signed an initial peace agreement that they hope will end a 40-year insurgency that has left more than 120,000 people dead. Although the agreement has wide support, it faces opposition from the former leader of a smaller group.

In a packed hall inside the presidential palace in the capital, Manila, Moro Islamic Liberation Front Chairman Murad Ebrahim said the group had “inked the most important document” in its history. The 60-something year-old Murad remarked that he himself was making history.

“Never in my wildest dream, since I was a child or when I joined the Bangsamoro struggle more than 40 years ago, that one day I will see the interior of this building,” said Ibrahim.

Read more ....

More News On The Philippines And Muslim rebels Signing A Preliminary Peace Accord

Philippine Government Signs Pact With Muslim Rebels -- New York Times
Philippines and Muslim rebels sign key peace plan -- BBC
Rebel leaders, Filipino officials sign landmark peace deal -- CNN
Philippines, Muslim rebels sign historic peace pact -- AFP
Philippines signs deal with Muslim rebels, but peace not yet assured -- Reuters
Philippines Signs Framework Peace Agreement with Muslim Rebels -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Philippines signs deal with Muslim rebels, but peace not yet assured -- Reuters
Rebels and Philippines gov't OK peace pact -- UPI
Muslim rebels ink Philippine pact as step to peace -- USA Today/AP
Militants threaten Manila peace deal -- Asia Times
Philippine peace deal -- Sydney Morning Herald
MILF: Rebels struggling for Muslim homeland -- ABS CBN
Philippine Attacks Show Risks Ahead of Peace Accord Signing -- Bloomberg Businessweek
South Philippines Best Chance for Peace? -- Bryony Lau, The Diplomat

Philippine Military And Muslim Rebel Clashes Intensify

Philippines Clashes Force Thousands To Flee Homes -- The Guardian

Fighting between government forces and Muslim separatists leave 20 dead and thousands displaced in southern Mindanao.

Fighting between Philippine soldiers and a group of Muslim separatists has forced thousands of people to flee their homes on southern Mindanao and created a new problem for stalled peace talks to end the longrunning insurgency.

Twenty people were killed when army commandos clashed with fighters from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) near al-Barka town on Basilan on Tuesday. Both sides accused each other of breaking a seven-year truce.

Read more ....

More News On Clashes Between Philippine Soldiers And MILF Guerrillas

Many deaths as Philippine troops fight rebels -- Al Jazeera
6 more Filipino soldiers found dead after clash -- AP
At least 12 Philippine Troops Dead in Shootout -- Voice of America
At least 12 Philippine soldiers killed in rebel ambush -- AFP
Islamists Kill 13 Filipino Soldiers -- American Thinker
Army, Muslim rebels clash in Philippine south, 19 dead -- Reuters
Toll in clash with Muslim rebels rises to 24 in Philippines -- M&C
Moro rebels executed 6 captured soldiers, says military -- ABS-CBN

Philippine City Lives In Constant Terror

A guard stands at the entrance of a business in downtown Zamboanga City, on Mindanao, in the southern Philippines, where Muslim insurgents have sown fear with bombings, abductions and executions. The U.S. Embassy has warned citizens not to visit, but local officials offer armed guards to tourists. Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

From The L.A. Times:

Zamboanga City is on the front lines of the Philippines' fight against terrorists, located in the troubled south where Muslim militants have been battling troops and hitting civilian targets.

Reporting from Zamboanga City, Philippines -- Restaurant owner Lyra Quitay is blind in one eye. Her arms, chest and legs bear painful black scars and her right hand is so gnarled that it resembles a claw when she signs her name.

In October 2001, a terrorist's bomb ripped through the claustrophobic downtown market where Quitay runs a tiny kitchen, instantly killing her security guard and blowing a hole in her life.

Read more ....

My Comment: Guerrilla warfare has been a part of Philippine life since the 19th century .... but a religious war between Muslim and Christian is something different, and it has the potential to be something that can easily turn into something far worse than what it is today.

Troops And Separatists Clash In Southern Philippines

File photo shows Philippine army vehicles making their way to the front line in Maguindanao, in the south of the country. Twenty-four soldiers have been killed and 16 wounded in running battles with Al Qaeda-linked militants in the troubled south, the military has said. (AFP/File)

From The International Herald Tribune:

MANILA: As many as five marines and five Muslim separatist rebels were killed during intense fighting in the southern Philippines, military officials said Monday. They said an undetermined number of government troops and rebels were also wounded.

The fighting began Sunday and continued Monday morning in the two Muslim-dominated provinces of Sulu and Basian, islands that the government had earlier declared to be free from terrorists and Islamic extremists after a U.S.-supported counterterrorism campaign that began in 2002.

Officials said Monday that the number of those killed could sharply increase, particularly on the side of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a Muslim separatist group.


Read more ....

More News On The Civil war in The Philippines

24 soldiers killed in Philippines clashes -- Yahoo News/AFP
Philippines: Troops clash with Islamist militants in south -- ADN Kronos
Army battles al-Qaeda militants in Philippines -- The Telegraph

Philippines Peace Deal With Muslim Rebels Collapses

(Click To Enlarge)

From L.A. Times:

ZAMBOANGA CITY, PHILIPPINES -- A tentative peace deal that came close to resolving decades of conflict between the Philippine military and Muslim insurgents collapsed Thursday after days of fierce fighting and an alleged massacre.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's government said it had canceled a landmark agreement reached recently with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the country's largest Muslim rebel group.

"The cancellation of the memorandum of agreement is a painful step in our collective effort to come to an agreement with the MILF," said a statement from Lorelei Fajardo, an Arroyo spokeswoman.

Read more ....

My Comment: The deal was a capitulation to the Muslim insurgents on the Southern Island of Mindanao. When the details became public the Catholic majority realized that this would put them at a political, economic, and social disadvantage in the contested areas. This treaty was DOA.

The Muslim insurgents are themselves divided. Making any reconciliation impossible.

War In The South Of The Philippines -- News Updates For August 19, 2008

Muslim Rebels Leave A Trail Of Bloodied Corpses In Philippines -- Sydney Morning Herald

ILIGAN, Philippines: Muslim separatist rebels left a string of corpses and burning homes after a series of pre-dawn attacks yesterday on towns in the southern Philippines.

Agence France-Presse reporters saw nine bloodied bodies lying by a roadside in one village as black smoke billowed from houses burning in the background. Five other civilians were killed in another village by marauding guerillas from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

In near-simultaneous assaults, hundreds of Moro rebels raided the towns of Kauswagan, Maigo and Kolambugan in Lanao del Norte province and Maasim in the province of Sarangani.

Read more ....

More News On The Philippines

MILF rebels withdraw to Lanao uplands as conflict kills 31 -- ABS-CBN
Islamic separatists kill 28 in Philippines rampage -- International Herald Tribune
Philippine rebels kill 28 in new attacks -- AFP
MILF’s Commander Bravo strikes again -- Inquirer (Philippines)
MILFs sow terror -- Sun.star
Philippines drives rebels out -- Reuters

My Comment: These people have been fighting for decades. They are not going to stop.