Muslim group hopes to resume peace process with Philippine gov't

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front ( MILF) expressed commitment to peace process with government despite a firefight between MILF and police in southern Philippines last Sunday which left 49 policemen killed, the muslim group said on Wednesday.

"We hereby reiterate the MILF's full commitment to the peace process with the Philippine government. An enduring peace and justice remain to be our primary objective," said MILF chairman Murad Ebrahim.

Murad said the MILF and the government have been into the negotiations for some time now, and that "protocols, ways of proceedings and mechanisms" have been established in support of peace.

He also expressed "deepest sympathies" to the families of the slain policemen.

Forty-nine Philippine policemen were believed to be killed in gunbattle with Muslim militants in the south province of Maguindanao last Sunday.

The Aquino government and the 11,800-strong rebel group formally signed the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro on March 27, 2014 at the Malacanang Palace in Manila, ending 40 years of conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and stalled economic development in areas affected by fighting.

However, Congress suspended deliberations on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law which will pave the way for the establishment of a new political entity -- as part of the peace agreement -- as a result of the clashes. Endi