|
New violence in Philippines sparks terrorism fears |
|
|
Tuesday, 21 October 2008 |
|
After decades of on–off civil war and Islamist terror, the southern Philippines could relapse into worse violence, after the country’s Supreme Court vetoed a landmark but flawed recent peace deal. This could damage US interests, as China expands links with Manila. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
No more peace talks |
|
|
Saturday, 06 September 2008 |
|
The government has turned its back on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front after 11 years of negotiation. The peace panel will be dissolved for now and Manila will try to approach local Muslim communities directly to gauge how the conflict can be resolved. The risk is of course that a MILF without any diplomatic avenues will be more violent. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
A Narrow Window for Peace |
|
|
Sunday, 24 August 2008 |
|
The Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain that formed the core of a peace accord between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has been canceled, Philippine presidential spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo confirmed Aug. 21. Fajardo added that Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo had vowed that future negotiations with MILF will take place with prior consultation with legislators and local officials. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
MILF deal goes up in flames |
|
|
Friday, 22 August 2008 |
|
The Philippine government has announced that its agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on the boundaries of an enlarged Moro homeland is under review. MILF leaders object to this attempt to renege on what was agreed only a few weeks ago, but their inability to control rebel commanders is hurting their bargaining position. While violence against Catholic communities on Mindanao continues, Manila cannot be seen as weak and will turn to force in retaliation. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Posturing over peace in Philippine south |
|
|
Saturday, 09 August 2008 |
|
Troop skirmishes and small bombings will likely increase in the southern Philippines in the coming weeks as the government and Muslim separatists flex their muscles after the latest setback in a stop-start peace process. Both sides have been sabre-rattling. Manila has issued an ultimatum to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) over what it says is their occupation of Catholic farming villages. The rebels, meanwhile, have admitted that some commanders may lash out amid frustration over a Supreme Court ruling that temporarily halted a longed-for deal on territory. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
|
Analysis 