More than 30 people were killed in a fighting between police and Muslim rebels in southern Philippines on January 25, threatening a peace agreement reached a year ago.
Army sources said that police entered a Muslim community in Mamasadano town of Maguidanao province where the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and its rival Bangamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters are believed to be operating.
After the 12-hour clashes, 27 police and five rebels were killed. Eight other police were captured by the rebels.
In March 2014, MILF accepted to sign a peace agreement with the government, ending 45 years of conflict during which 120,000 people were killed and 2 million displaced.
Under the deal, brokered by Malaysia , the two sides will discuss the ratification of a bill to establish an Islamic autonomous area by mid-2016.
In return, 12,000 MILF members will lay down their arms and join the government’s efforts to improve living conditions for the Islamic community, which is one of the poorest and most disadvantaged groups in the 100 million-strong country.
As part of the agreement, the current Mindanao Islamic autonomous area that comprises five provinces will be replaced with a larger area called “Bangsamoro” with more political powers and financial resources.-VNA
Army sources said that police entered a Muslim community in Mamasadano town of Maguidanao province where the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and its rival Bangamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters are believed to be operating.
After the 12-hour clashes, 27 police and five rebels were killed. Eight other police were captured by the rebels.
In March 2014, MILF accepted to sign a peace agreement with the government, ending 45 years of conflict during which 120,000 people were killed and 2 million displaced.
Under the deal, brokered by Malaysia , the two sides will discuss the ratification of a bill to establish an Islamic autonomous area by mid-2016.
In return, 12,000 MILF members will lay down their arms and join the government’s efforts to improve living conditions for the Islamic community, which is one of the poorest and most disadvantaged groups in the 100 million-strong country.
As part of the agreement, the current Mindanao Islamic autonomous area that comprises five provinces will be replaced with a larger area called “Bangsamoro” with more political powers and financial resources.-VNA
