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DATE=3/17/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-246739
TITLE=PHILIPINES / REBELS (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=RUTH YOUNGBLOOD
DATELINE=MANILA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:  
INTRO: AN ATTACK BY HUNDREDS OF MUSLIM REBELS ON A SOUTHERN 
PHILIPPINE VILLAGE,  KILLED THREE CIVILIANS AND TRIGGERED PANIC 
AMONG RESIDENTS. AS RUTH YOUNGBLOOD REPORTS FROM MANILA, THE 
PHILIPPINE MILITARY AND THE LARGEST ISLAMIC GUERRILLA GROUP 
BLAMED EACH OTHER FOR THE BLOODY CONFRONTATION.
 TEXT:  THE MILITARY REPORTED WEDNESDAY MUSLIM SEPARATIST 
FIGHTERS, ARMED WITH AUTOMATIC WEAPONS AND ROCKETS,  DESCENDED ON
THE REMOTE PAVILLA VILLAGE IN SOUTH COTABATO PROVINCE. THE 
THREE-HUNDRED REBELS, IDENTIFIED AS MEMBERS OF THE MORO ISLAMIC 
LIBERATION FRONT, OR M-I-L-F, CLASHED WITH SOLDIERS, WHO WERE 
REINFORCED BY POLICE AND MEMBERS OF A CHRISTIAN CULT. 
THE FIRE FIGHT, WHICH LASTED FOR HOURS, PROMPTED SIX HUNDRED 
VILLAGERS TO EVACUATE AND SEEK SHELTER IN A SCHOOL IN ANOTHER 
VILLAGE. THE ARMY'S SIXTH INFANTRY DIVISION SAID THE SEPARATIST 
REBELS FINALLY BROKE INTO SMALLER UNITS AND FLED INTO THE 
HINTERLANDS.
THE INCIDENT IS THE LATEST VIOLATION OF A SHAKY TRUCE THAT WENT 
INTO EFFECT IN THE TROUBLED ISLAND OF MINDANAO IN LATE JANUARY, 
AFTER HEAVY FIGHTING BETWEEN THE ARMED FORCES AND M-I-L-F LEFT 35
PEOPLE DEAD. 
MURAD IBRAHIM, THE M-I-L-F'S DEPUTY FOR MILITARY AFFAIRS, SAYS 
REBEL FIGHTERS ACTED ONLY IN SELF-DEFENSE. HE SAYS THE FIGHTING 
STARTED WHEN MILITIAMEN AMBUSHED A GROUP OF M-I-L-F REBELS 
CHASING CATTLE RUSTLERS. THE FIGHTING WAS AGGRAVATED, HE ASSERTS,
BY THE ARRIVAL OF SOLDIERS, POLICEMEN AND THE CULT MEMBERS 
OPPOSED TO THE M-I-L-F.
THE M-I-L-F IS THE LARGEST ISLAMIC FORCE STRUGGLING FOR A MUSLIM 
STATE IN THE SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES. THE GROUP IS ENGAGED IN PEACE 
TALKS WITH THE GOVERNMENT, BUT PRESIDENT JOSEPH ESTRADA REFUSES 
TO DISCUSS THE INDEPENDENCE DEMAND, MAINTAINING IT IS 
UNCONSTITUTIONAL. 
THE GOVERNMENT AND REBEL NEGOTIATORS PLAN TO MEET MARCH 25TH TO 
TRY AND SET A VENUE AND AGENDA FOR FORMAL TALKS. SUCH MEETINGS IN
THE PAST HAVE BEEN MADE LITTLE PROGRESS, WITH THE M-I-L-F AND 
PHILIPPINE MILITARY TRADING ACCUSATIONS OF CEASEFIRE VIOLATIONS. 
(SIGNED)
NEB/RY/GC/FC
17-Mar-99 3:51 AM EST (0851 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.