A day after raising hopes for peace in Mindanao with its declaration of a unilateral 10-day ceasefire starting next week, the Muslim separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front killed at least five civilians Thursday in an attack on two army detachments in North Cotabato province, the military said. Hours after the attack, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called on the MILF leadership to show sincerity in its avowed quest for peace by renouncing terrorism and its ties to terrorist groups, disclosing rebel positions, and surrendering those responsible for the recent spate of bombings in Mindanao. “We want peace with justice,” the President said in a statement. “Any truce offer is only as good as the principle and sincerity behind it.” Major General Generoso Senga, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said about 70 MILF guerrillas fired mortars and rocket-propelled grenades at two detachments of the 40th Infantry Battalion in barangay Makabenban, Carmen town. After the mortar barrage at about 3 a.m., MILF rebels swooped down on the village, set fire to 15 houses, and killed five civilians, according to Senga. Full Story
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