Rebels vow to spare civilians

Oct 28, 2009

 

MANILA (Philippines) - THE Philippine government and a large Muslim rebel group signed an accord pledging not to target civilians and to protect schools and hospitals, an indication of improving relations after years of conflict, officials said on Wednesday.
The agreement, signed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, aims to avoid massive civilian suffering in the southern Philippines, where hundreds were killed and more than half a million displaced when peace talks collapsed last year.
Both sides will discuss measures to enforce the accord once formal talks resume later this year, including international monitors, said government negotiator Rafael Seguis.
Displaced civilians have born the brunt of the conflict, which has claimed at least 120,000 lives since the 1970s.
In the agreement signed on Tuesday, both sides committed not to target noncombatants, along with 'schools, hospitals, religious premises, health and food distribution centres, or relief operations.' They also agreed not to block the flow of food aid and other relief goods.
The fighting in the marshy heartland of the southern Mindanao region eased in July and both sides agreed last month to resume the negotiations. -- AP