60-day Ultimatum Proposed for Rebel Group in Southern Philippines

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, May 13, 2003

60-day Ultimatum Proposed for Rebel Group in Southern Philippines

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Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople proposed Monday a 60-day ultimatum for a local rebel group to "cease and desist from any unprovoked attacks and atrocities against civilians in Mindanao in the south."

The government is suggested to take actions against secessionist group the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), including tagging it a terrorist organization, if the rebels turn a deaf ear to the government's ultimatum, Ople told reporters.

Earlier on Monday, Ople briefed the ambassadors of Organizationof Islamic Conference (OIC) on the recent violent incidents in Siocon town in Zamboanga del Norte and Koronadal town in South Cotabato, both in the south. MILF members are allegedly behind allthese events.

Ople's proposal will be deliberated by Cabinet Oversight Committee on Internal Security.

"We believe it is important for the Islamic ambassadors to understand what is happening there, the bombings in Siocon, Koronadal, other places in Mindanao, resulting in the loss of 77 civilian lives not to mention some casualties from the military and the police," Ople added.

The MILF, the biggest rebel group in the country, should manifest "some degree of good faith in dealing with the Philippinegovernment" within the two-month period, Ople explained, warning that otherwise, the Arroyo administration will "use all available means to stop their atrocities against civilians."

The 12,500-strong MILF has been waging a 25-year campaign for an Islamic state in the southern Philippines. The group openly acknowledged enhanced offensives but denied allegations that the group is targeting civilians.

Ople said the ambassadors from Libya, Iran and Pakistan, raisedthe question on putting terrorist tag on the MILF, but Philippine officials have informed them that the government remains open to the resumption of the peace talks as soon as a conducive environment is attained in Mindanao.

The OIC envoys, according to Ople, have reached a consensus to "condemn all acts of terrorism" no matter who perpetrated it. Theyalso reiterated its commitment to supporting the Philippine government in its desire to settle all differences with the rebel group through peaceful and diplomatic means.

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