Muslim clan feud blamed for violence in Philippines

20 militia killed in attempt to arrest alleged assassins

A long-simmering feud between a powerful Muslim clan and Muslim separatists in the south of the country has been blamed for an unexpected eruption of violence observers say is threatening peace talks.

In the past week, at least 20 government militia have been killed in clashes with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The militia had tried to arrest two rebel commanders accused of masterminding the attempted assassination of Maguindanao provincial Governor Andal Ampatuan in the separatist stronghold of Shariff Aguak in June last year.

But rebel spokesman Eid Kabalu told local media the recent violence had broken out because authorities had disregarded two agreements between the government and the rebels. One had laid down a general ceasefire and stipulated an orderly process for reporting violations. The other was a promise by the rebel group that it would hand over any fugitive from justice who had fled into their area.

'This was blatantly violated' when the militia entered rebel territory to make an arrest, Mr Kabalu said.

Last year, the governor escaped the car bomb attack unhurt, but it killed two nephews, a cousin and four bodyguards. Mr Kabalu quickly denied that the MILF was behind the blast. 'The MILF had nothing to do with the bombing but the military is only using the issue to justify its attacks on us,' he said.

But the governor ordered militia to make arrests.