Philippines halts offensives against Muslim rebels

Talks with the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front broke down last year, when the government accused the rebels of launching attacks on Christian villages after the Supreme Court threw out a preliminary peace deal.

Chief government negotiator Rafael Seguis said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's order is aimed at providing a conducive atmosphere for the resumption of talks.

He said it would also allow some 300,000 displaced to return to their homes and farms in the southern Philippines, where Muslims have been fighting for self-rule in the predominantly Roman-Catholic nation for decades.

Government troops "shall suspend all offensive operations in the conflict-affected areas ... and revert to active defense mode," said Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, the most senior Cabinet member.

He said, however, that the police force will continue hunting down three rebel commanders accused of reigniting the clashes last August, when the guerrillas rampaged through coastal communities in the central Mindanao region, leaving scores of people dead.

It was still not clear when the Malaysian-brokered talks will resume, said chief rebel negotiator Mohagher Iqbal.

"That's a good step on the part of the military because after all they are the ones on the offensive in Mindanao. They should make the first move," he told The Associated Press.

He also cautioned that "suspension is very easy to declare but what is more important is compliance." The rebels would order their field commanders to hold fire starting Saturday, he said.

The two sides signed a cease-fire in 2003, which has largely held until last August.

Separately, the Philippine military recently sent hundreds of troops to neighboring Basilan and Jolo islands to launch a major new offensive on theal-Qaida-linked Islamist group, the Abu Sayyaf. The government has not held peace talks with Abu Sayyaf, which is considered a terrorist organization.

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