Manila, July 18: President Gloria Arroyo today said her government has signed a ceasefire agreement with the Philippines' largest Muslim separatist Guerrilla group ahead of peace talks expected shortly in Malaysia. "Today the peace panels of our government and the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) agreed on a mutual cessation of hostilities," arroyo said in a statement. Manila is to issue safe conduct passes to the MILF negotiators, she added. Malaysia is expected to deploy ceasefire observers to the MILF hotbed of the southern island of Mindanao shortly, the president said, thanking Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad "for his sincere and abiding support" to the peace process. "I call on the panels to immediately enter in formal talks towards a final peace agreement," Arroyo said.
The truce puts a temporary stop to guerrilla attacks by the 12,500-member MILF on Mindanao. The government earlier said it was optimistic it could reach a political settlement within 90 days from the start of formal negotiations.

The group has been campaigning to carve out a new state from the southern third of the largely roman catholic Philippines.

Arroyo has also accused the rebels of providing training and sanctuary to foreign "terrorists" linked to the al-Qaeda network of Saudi-born militant Osama bin Laden.

"As we address the roots of rebellion and secession, I am confident that we shall also effectively isolate and marginalize the dwindling terrorist cells in Mindanao and across our seas in the region," Arroyo said.

Bureau Report