For the first time, the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has categorically expressed support for the Philippine military's counter-offensive against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a breakaway group of Moro rebels led by renegade Ameril Umbra Kato.

In earlier statements, the MILF refused to condemn the atrocities perpetrated by Kato's forces, including the bloody attacks against innocent civilians in Central Mindanao after the aborted signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) in 2008.

The MILF even warned the government then that it would protect Kato's forces if they are inside MILF-controlled territories.

But apparently times have changed since the MILF has recently issued formal statements condemning the recent unprovoked attacks by the BIFF against government militia detachments in Maguindanao where scores have been killed and thousands of civilians now seeking shelter in evacuation centers.

"We are condemning in the strongest sense the recent offensives done by the so-called Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF)," Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF vice chairman for political affairs, was quoted by the Manila Times, as saying.

In its special report, the Manila Times, a leading Manila daily, said that with the joining of forces of the government and the MILF, the prospects of lasting peace in Mindanao are now within reach.

"The recent attacks of Umbra Kato's forces against government and civilian targets and the government military's counter- offensives appear to make permanent peace between the government and the MILF look more possible," the Times's lead article said.

Mohagher Iqbal, MILF chief negotiator, was also quoted by the paper as saying that Kato is "an obstructionist" in the quest for lasting peace in Mindanao. "Kato is not part of the MILF. He is plain and simple spoiler of the peace process," Iqbal said.

The statement of Jaafar and Iqbal came on the heels of an editorial carried by Luwaran.com, the MILF's propaganda website, which also condemned the BIFF attacks.

The editorial said that "there is virtually no way to justify" the BIFF's military offensive, adding that it was ill-timed during the holy month of Ramadan when fighting is prohibited except when attacked.

"It is not MILF's policy to speak ill of fellow Muslims especially during Ramadan. But what is now taking place in Maguindanao, courtesy of the BIFF, will be more harmful, if we do not come out with a statement," the editorial said.

It said a real organization, such as the MILF, will have to take a position. "Silence, in the face of this serious development, is never a good policy. We, therefore, have to say, because we are not only challenged but also aggrieved," the editorial added.

According to the editorial, the BIFF attacks were aimed at "shaming" the MILF which has just concluded its 30th exploratory talks with the Philippine government.

The latest round of talks ended August 11 in Kuala Lumpur. The two sides are scheduled to meet again before the end of the month.

The editorial said that the reason why the BIFF bolted from the MILF was its stiff opposition to the MILF's policy to talk peace with the government, which the BIFF considers as the "enemy."

"To them, the only way to deal with the enemy is through the barrel of the gun... even branded the MILF leaders as traitors to the Moro cause," the editorial said.

In their joint statement issued after their 30th exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur, the two sides also officially condemned the BIFF attacks "as well as the violent acts of lawless elements in several areas of Mindanao."

"The government of the Philippines and the MILF denounce these aggressions or dirty spoiling by groups who will do everything to derail the peace process," the joint statement said.

In the joint statement, the parties said that they "will work together to ensure that these spoilers will not succeed as the parties continue to push forward to bring just and lasting peace to our peoples and communities."

During the recent talks in Kuala Lumpur, both sides tackled the nitty-gritty of the proposed peace accord, particularly the issues on power-sharing, wealth sharing and revenue generation.

The MILF has abandoned its original demand for an independent Bangsamoro state in Mindanao. It has since demanded for the establishment of a Bangsamoro sub-state with some sovereign powers akin to those enjoyed by federal states.