World | Philippines
Malaysian monitors begin withdrawal from Philippines
An army commander said he was expecting a rise in militant activities after Malaysian peacekeepers began withdrawing from the Philippines on Saturday.
- Agencies
- Published: 09:21 May 10, 2008
Cotabato City: An army commander said he was expecting a rise in militant activities after Malaysian peacekeepers began withdrawing from the Philippines on Saturday.
Malaysia said it was pulling out its peacekeepers because of the lack of progress in peace talks between security forces and Islamic rebels.
"The people on the ground have begun to feel the build-up of tension that might affect the ceasefire [since 2004]," said Major General Raymundo Ferrer in Cotabato.
Major General Yasin Mat Daud, head of the Malaysian-led IMT, said his team has mixed feelings about leaving Mindanao.
"We're happy because we're returning to our families, but, we're also sad because we're leaving behind an unfinished dream. We're still hoping to see the government and the MILF sign a peace treaty soon. That's also our dream," Daud said.
More than 120,000 people have been killed in nearly 40 years of conflict between the military and rebels in Mindanao.
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