DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/17 March)  -- The commanding officers of  the 1^st and 6^th Army Infantry Divisions traded places Friday following the near collapse of the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)  but a military spokesperson says the changing of the guards had “nothing to do with the Midsayap clashes.”

"It has nothing to do with the Midsayap clashes," he said.

Maj. Gen. Nehemias Pajarito was replaced by Maj. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, chief of the 1^st Infantry Division or Tabak Division in Western Mindanao. Pajarito took over Ferrer’s post in Tabak.

Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, 6^th ID spokesperson, confirmed to MindaNews on Saturday the Friday turn over of  command.

Eighteen persons were killed in the clashes between government troops and the MILF on March 6 and 7 in Midsayap, North Cotabato. The clashes could have been avoided if the earlier agreements between the government and MILF Coordinating Commitees on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) had been observed.

The near collapse of the talks prompted President Arroyo’s issuance of a seven-paragraph policy directive on March 12, reiterating the primacy of the peace process. She also ordered restraint in the use of artillery and aerial bombings during military operations.

Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, MILF chair, responded positively to the President's pronouncement with a seven-paragraph statement but he warned against "spoilers of the peace process," including what he said were "hawkish military officers and policymakers."

Rexall Kaalim, Bantay Ceasefire coordinator, told MindaNews replacing generals in the area is not the main point.

"What is more welcome to me is that the entire institution of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) should understand the peace process and should be aware of the ceasefire mechanisms," he said in a text message to MindaNews Saturday.

Kaalim said the mechanism will function well if supported by all stakeholders as it will  "stabilize a more conducive environment for the peace talks to continue."

The ceasefire mechanisms had been proven in the past as effective in protecting civilians, Kaalim said. De-escalating or preventing armed clashes between the AFP and the Moro rebels will prevent displacement of civilians, among them children and new born babies.

Von Al Haq, head of the MILF’s CCCH, said they have stated in their official protests the alleged serious violations by the military, of the GRP– MILF ceasefire accord.

"Hopefully, General Ferrer has better knowledge of the peace process," he said. (Walter I. Balane/MindaNews)

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