The European Union (EU) on Tuesday called for an early resumption of stalled peace talks between the Philippine government and Muslim separatist rebels, as it expressed alarm over escalating violence in the country's troubled south, reported dpa.
The EU also urged the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to "show restraint and genuine respect for the rule of law" to avoid further inflaming the violence in the southern region of Mindanao.
"The EU believes strongly that the conflict in Mindanao can only be resolved through dialogue," it said in a statement.
"The EU urges the government of the Philippines and the MILF, who both have invested heavily in the peace process, to agree to an early return to the negotiating table in order to seek a lasting solution to the conflict," it added.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo earlier ruled out an immediate resumption of peace talks between the MILF and the government following the outbreak of hostilities in Mindanao in August.
The fighting flared up after the Supreme Court stopped the signing of a territorial deal between the government and the MILF that would have expanded an existing autonomous Muslim region in Mindanao.
Frustrated by the setback, MILF rebels launched a series of deadly attacks in the provinces of North Cotabato, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Basilan and Sarangani. The military has launched an offensive to hunt down two commanders who led the attacks.
Arroyo eventually scrapped the controversial agreement amid questions over its constitutionality, and dissolved the government's peace negotiating team with the MILF after the violence broke out.
More than 200 people, including nearly 70 civilians, have been killed and more than 500,000 residents have been forced to flee their homes due to the hostilities, according to the Office of Civil Defence.
The EU said it was deeply concerned over the growing number of civilian casualties and displaced persons in the fighting.
"It particularly condemns the indiscriminate killing of civilians and calls for those responsible to face the due process of law," it said. "The EU is also concerned that civilian militias may become embroiled in the violence."
"This is particularly worrying and has the potential to inflame sectarian violence," it added.
The EU reiterated its commitment to help impoverished and underdeveloped communities in Mindanao, but warned that "the successful delivery of its development programmes could be jeopardised if the violence continues."