The Philippines' largest Muslim guerrilla group has demanded the government halt any planned oil and gas explorations by foreign companies in vast southern areas they claim, warning Sunday that energy projects would complicate peace talks.
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front refused to say what they would do if the government ignores their request.
The 11,000-strong rebel group has waged a bloody battle for self-rule in southern Mindanao region, homeland of minority Muslims in the predominantly Roman Catholic Philippines. A cease-fire, guarded by international monitors led by Malaysia, has held since the last major fighting killed hundreds and displaced about 750,000 people after the talks bogged down in 2008. The United States and Australia have backed the talks, fearing rebel strongholds could harbour al Qaida-linked militants.