Philippines, MILF rift widens

MANILA, Philippines, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- The Philippine government Thursday was firm on capturing two Muslim rebel commanders as a collapsed peace deal threatened more violence in the Mindanao region.

A spokesman said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has demanded the Moro Islamic Liberation Front leadership surrender its commanders, Abduhrahman Macapaar (also called Bravo) and Ameril Umbra Kato.

The two were accused of leading the rebels in attacks on Lanao del Norte and Sarangani villages this week. Several people died in the attacks, which the MILF leadership blamed on rogue elements, the Philippines Star reported.

"This excuse has been abused for too long and the president now draws the line," Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said.

Fighting between Philippines security forces and MILF members has escalated after the Philippine Supreme Court, on the objections of Christian communities, blocked a peace plan to widen the Muslim autonomous zone on Mindanao island to end years of separatist violence.

Macapaar, who denied any involvement in the Monday attacks, was quoted as saying, "We are prepared to trade fire with (the military) until we are decimated. If they cannot finish us, we will finish them."

MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim has said the Monday attacks were the result of "frustration of MILF ground commanders" over the aborted peace deal, and warned a major war could result if both sides don't stop fighting.