One killed, two hurt in ambush

Some 30 men, believed to be members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), ambushed and killed a civilian and wounded two others in Esperanza town, southern Kudarat, southern Philippines last Sunday, senior superintendent of police Bartolome Baluyot said in a belated report.

The three were riding a motorcycle when ambushed, said Baluyot. "I can't understand the MILF's motive in staging the attacks despite the agreement and talks it is undertaking with the government."

The MILF and the government agreed to fight terrorism in Mindanao in a recent communique. The group signed a cease-fire agreement with the government in 1997 and in 2002, but peace talks have been bogged down by counter-accusations from both camps of truce violations.

After a series of negotiations, 60 MILF fighters surrendered to the 6th infantry division in Awang town in Maguindanao yesterday, said Major Noel Detoyato of the Southern Command.

The rebels, all members of the Bangsamor Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) operating in the province, handed over dozens of automatic weapons.