MILF Founder's Death Poses Hurdle For Peace Talks

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) founder Hashim Salamat reportedly died July 13, a Philippine government official told local media Aug. 4. Salamat's death was kept a secret to avoid a power struggle in the MILF and to maintain progress toward peace talks with the government. If the story of Salamat's demise is accurate, the peace talks — which were postponed again on Aug. 4 — might be in trouble, since a single voice for MILF no longer exists.