Philippine gov't working closely with MILF on operations against terrorists: Official

The Philippine government is closely coordinating with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the largest Muslim rebel group in the country, to ensure that the ongoing military operations in southern Philippines would not escalate and affect the peace process, a senior government official said Sunday.

Secretary Teresita Deles of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process said that the ceasefire mechanisms between the government and the MILF, along with the International Monitoring Team, are working closely and robustly with the security sector to maintain peace and order on the ground, including curbing the spread of extremism.

Specifically, she said the ceasefire mechanisms have repositioned the MILF troops to allow law enforcement operations to proceed.

Sanctuary was also provided to the displaced civilians with services coming from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Deles added.

Government operations against suspected local terrorist group have been ongoing in Butig town in Lanao del Sur, resulting in the death of at least 42 militants.