Manila - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of the Philippines said yesterday she had ordered the suspension of military operations against Muslim separatists to clear the way for resumption of stalled peace talks. It would also enable more than 200,000 people displaced by fighting to return to their homes.
Peace talks between Manila and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front collapsed last August after the then president Joseph Estrada ordered an all-out offensive against the rebels. Mr Estrada was ousted in a "people power" revolt last month.