MILF seeks site where it can move fighters in Sulu

As in Basilan, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front also wants an “area of temporary stay" (ATS) in Sulu where it can move its fighters in the meantime to avoid getting involved in fighting between the military and the Abu Sayyaf. The MILF, in a statement on its website, said it proposed to the government the new ATS where it can temporarily move its fighters. MILF secretariat chairman Muhammad Ameen noted the ATS is an area designated for MILF by both the government and the MILF Coordinating Committees on Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH). Ameen said the ATS was first pilot-tested in July and August 2005 during the government offensive against the Abu Sayyaf and alleged Jemaah Islamiyah militants in the jungles of Guindolongan and Talayan in Maguindanao. During that time, more than 500 fully armed MILF forces vacated their camps in these towns o give way to AFP troops pursuing the Abu Sayyaf and JI. MILF CCCH head Von Al-Haq first made the proposal to government counterpart Brigadier General Edgardo Gurrea last week while the military were attacking the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan. Gurrea received the proposal and promised to bring the matter to higher-ups, the MILF said. The government and the 11,000-strong MILF are trying to forge a peace accord but talks have stalled on how much territory to include in a proposed Moro homeland and whether this would be subjected to a plebiscite. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has said talks will resume in September. Scores of soldiers and insurgents have died in recent heavy fighting in the island-provinces of Basilan and Sulu. -GMANews.TV