Spare the civilians

All is fair in love and war, it is often said, but it's unfair for innocent non-combatants to be dragged into battle. Getting caught in the crossfire is one thing, but being the actual target of an armed attack is another. The other day, at least four people were reported killed when the Moro Islamic Liberation Front launched an all-out offensive against government troops after peace negotiations collapsed. Reports from Mindanao said MILF rebels fired rockets into civilian homes and sprayed passing vehicles with rifle fire. The attacks were meant to ease pressure on the MILF's base, Camp Abubakar, which has been under siege by government troops. Retreating rebels also took scores of civilians as hostages, turning them into human shields.

Yesterday, four bombs exploded at the city hall, public market and fish port of General Santos, leaving at least four people dead. A lawyer of the MILF's spokesman said the rebel group was responsible for the bombings, belying the MILF leadership's claim that the group has a policy against harming civilians.

It's not the first time that Islamic secessionists in Mindanao have attacked civilian targets as a diversionary tactic. The Moro National Liberation Front used to do it. Christian targets -- churches, priests and nuns, Christian residents and communities -- are the favorite prey of the smaller but more violent extremist group Abu Sayyaf. Reports last night said the Abu Sayyaf had executed several of its Filipino hostages even as 15 were rescued by pursuing government troops.

It's futile to appeal to the Abu Sayyaf's humane side -- this group is notorious for its inhumanity. But people expected better from the MILF, which has expressed willingness to discuss peace with the government. The bombing targets in General Santos were crowded public places. If the bombers wanted to fight back, they could have attacked a military or police outpost. Hitting civilians is a cowardly act. Then again, can we really expect anything good from the MILF?