PALAYAN CITY—Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. Tuesday ruled out the resumption of peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, saying that the MILF had become “irrelevant” after it refused to surrender commanders blamed for attacking civilians.

Emerging from a Cabinet security cluster meeting at the Nueva Ecija convention center here, Teodoro said that disarmament, demobilization and rehabilitation (DDR) would be the basis for any dialogue for peace as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had enunciated in a speech on Aug. 22.

Ms Arroyo announced the DDR policy after MILF field commanders Ameril Ombra Kato and Abdulla Macapaar, disgruntled at the cancellation of the Aug. 5 signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) on an expanded Bangsamoro homeland, rampaged in Mindanao, slaughtering scores of civilians.

The government went on a counteroffensive, offering a P10-million reward for the capture of the two commanders and demanding that the MILF leadership surrender them. MILF officials rejected the demand, saying mechanisms exist in the 2003 ceasefire agreement between the government and the rebel group and that the front will deal with Kato and Macapaar.

“By saying such a thing, the MILF makes itself more irrelevant because its credibility once again is put to the test—because of its refusal to condemn the atrocities committed by some of its members.”

Besides the demand to surrender Kato and Macapaar, Malacañang added another precondition to the resumption of stalled peace talks—the disarmament of the 12,000-strong MILF force. Kato and Macapaar, also known as Commander Bravo, lead about 500-1,000 MILF fighters.

Objective is disarmament

“That is the objective of all peace talks—disarmament—not just for MILF but for all armed groups,” he said.

Teodoro lamented that about 300,000 people had been displaced by the fighting in Mindanao.

Over the past month, authorities said at least 70 civilians had been killed in the surge of violence. The military said 17 soldiers and militiamen died in the fighting. The military also said the MILF toll was 125, but the rebels confirmed only seven deaths.

Teodoro said the government was not cowed by MILF’s ability to launch more attacks.

Parameters have changed

“To me, the way they try to increase their leverage is by puffing themselves up once again, by being more intransigent, and I think they should wake up to the call of the times that this doesn’t work with the Filipino people anymore,” Teodoro said.

“It’s a counterproductive tactic,” he said. “Perhaps a bit of humility, a bit of placing their feet on the floor, a bit of acceptance of reality that arrogance does not bring you anywhere. A heady dose of that should serve a better purpose than puffing yourself up.”

The MILF central committee has not contacted the government, the defense secretary said, and that the only information the government gets are news reports that the signing of the MOA is a “sine qua non” for the MILF to resume negotiations.

“All options for dialogue shall still be used. But the parameters for the dialogue necessarily have changed,” Teodoro said. “They should look for ways to start renegotiation or whatever.”

The Supreme Court put the brakes on the signing of the MOA following protests by local Mindanao executives and claims that it contravenes the Constitution. Solicitor General Agnes Devanadera has told the court the administration will no longer sign the MOA.

Teodoro said the government was not worried that Malacañang’s decision was being interpreted by the MILF as tantamount to a declaration of war.

Door not totally closed

“Don’t take the words of MILF seriously. We have law enforcement (operation) that is continuing. The more they talk like that, their credibility is eroding. They should not only approach the government, but show good faith.

“We don’t tolerate such activities, but we just want to show them—those of them who are reasonable—we can’t totally close the door to everybody,” he said, but added that they must “do some adherence for peace.”

So far, a lot of areas have been cleared of MILF forces, Teodoro said. “So that’s a major headway. And they can’t form in large formations anymore. They can only do small groupings in the area,” he said.

“Naturally the operations will be tailored to afford greatest respect to the communities that are involved to afford them the chance to observe Ramadan in a peaceful way,” he said. But he stressed that law enforcement operations will still continue against Kato and Macapaar.

Bombing raids eased

“Because that is non-negotiable, non-bargaining point between the MILF and the government,” he said. “It’s to enforce justice in the community.”

Gen. Alexander Yano, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Tuesday elaborated on his directive to troops to make “tactical adjustments” on operations against Kato and Macapaar during the Muslim fasting month

“Tactically, artillery and air strikes will be minimized as much as practicable,” Yano said. However, he said field commanders “are not prevented to proportionately employ such firepower when extremely necessary in addressing imminent threats.”

AFP spokesperson Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres said that artillery and air strikes may not be necessary now. He said the forces of Kato and Macapaar had broken down into small groups after the military overran MILF encampments and villages in Lanao del Norte and Maguindanao.

The Philippine Air Force also has been directed to ease bombing raids during Ramadan, according to PAF information chief Maj. Gerardo Zamudio Jr.