The Philippine government on July 23 ordered its army

Manila (VNA) - The Philippine government on July 23 ordered its army to suspend
offensive operations against Muslim separatist rebels in the strife-torn south.


The government’s chief negotiator, Rafael Seguis, said President Gloria Arroyo
made the command in order to resume peaceful talks between the government and the
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The move will also help hundreds of thousands of refugees return home, Seguis
said.

However, troops will maintain an "active defence mode" to protect civilians and
vital government installations from MILF attacks.

The negotiations between the Philippine Government and the MILF were scuttled last
year when the government accused the MILF forces of attacking Christian villages,
in the aftermath of a Philippine Supreme Court decision outlawing a preliminary
peace deal.

National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales said on July 23 he was optimistic that
the talks will resume because both parties see the need for a peaceful
settlement.-Enditem