Philippine Sen. Rodolfo Biazon Aug. 17 called for suspension of peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), claiming the group helped fight the military during last week's clash on Basilan Island. The firefight left 23 government troops dead in Tipo-tipo district, in what the government called a "counter terrorism" operation aimed at the Abu Sayyaf group. (Manila Times, Aug. 18; Inquirer, Manila, Aug. 17)

(VOA, Aug. 16; NYT, Aug. 14)

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