July 22, 2005, Philippine Daily Inquirer, MILF helps AFP troops go after Abu Sayyaf , by Charlie Señase and Jeoffrey Maitem,

July 22, 2005, Philippine Daily Inquirer, MILF helps AFP troops go after Abu Sayyaf , by Charlie Señase and Jeoffrey Maitem,

COTABATO CITY-At least a thousand Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels temporarily abandoned their Camp Bader in Guindolongan, Maguindanao yesterday to give government soldiers a free hand in their operations against Abu Sayyaf bandits.

The movement of MILF fighters to the other side of the national highway was the outcome of an agreement among government, MILF and international truce monitoring groups to give way for the operation against Abu Sayyaf leaders Khadaffy Janjalani and Abu Solaiman, each having a $5 million prize on their heads courtesy of the US government's worldwide antiterrorism project.

Brig. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, head of the government's Joint Action Group monitoring ceasefire violations among combatants, said soldiers from the 6th Infantry Division were allowed to witness the MILF exodus to dispel suspicion that Abu Sayyaf bandits could have joined the pullout, disguised as rebels.

Sincerity

"That showed the MILF's sincerity to go on with the peace process which is nearly on its final stage," Dolorfino said.

The MILF's temporary pullout from Camp Bader was an agreed move to resolve a reported clash between government and MILF forces in Guindolongan town on July 16.

A soldier and three guerrillas were injured in the clash, which monitoring groups blamed on apparent miscommunication.

Immediately after the MILF exodus, the Armed Forces resumed its pursuit operation against members of the Abu Sayyaf with the assurance that there will be no firing of cannons and artillery.

At least four suspected Abu Sayyaf members had been killed since the start of the military operation on July 1 in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Talayan, South Upi and Guindolongan towns in Maguindanao.

In Talayan town on Tuesday, MILF rebels clashed with government soldiers who were tracking down the Abu Sayyaf bandits.