APPEASEMENT IN PHILIPPINES HITS A ROADBLOCK

BBC:

The Philippine government has pulled out of a controversial autonomy deal with Muslim separatist rebels in the south, following days of fighting.

A presidential spokeswoman described the move as a "painful step", but said leaders were still open to talks.

The government had agreed to expand an existing Muslim autonomous zone in a bid to end decades of violence.

But Christian communities opposed the deal and when the Supreme Court blocked it, the rebels launched attacks.

Earlier this week, raids by guerrillas from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on several towns near the border of the existing autonomous zone in the southern island of Mindanao left at least 30 people dead.

THE FRUITS OF APPEASEMENT.

THOUSANDS HAVE DIED IN THE MUSLIM-CHRISTIAN WARS HERE SINCE 1996.

THE ONLY WAY TO END THE VIOLENCE IS TO WIPE OUT ABU SAYYAF AND THE MILF.