After considering President Arroyo's suspension of military offensives (SOMO) she issued on Thursday, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) reciprocated late Saturday at 4 p.m. with its own suspension of military actions (SOMA) against forces of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP), with Mindanao leaders and evacuees hailing the improving environment for a resumption of peace talks.

Eid Kabalu, chief of civil-military affairs of the MILF, said that MILF Chairman Al-Hajj Murad Ebrahim signed the SOMA because the President herself was the one who signed GRP's SOMO.

Earlier, Kabalu said the plan was for Sammy Gambal, chief of staff of MILF's Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), to sign it. MILF has an estimated 12,000-man strong force.

The Mindanao Peace Caucus (MPC) through lawyer Mary Ann Arnado, MPC secretary general, said they read the SOMO to the IDPs in Datu Piang, Maguindanao, during the "Bakwit Power 2" assembly and gave it a rousing welcome.

"The IDPs were very happy upon learning about the SOMO. Children danced and frolicked," said Arnado.

It is still a long way, but at least, she said, a truce is at hand. "We can then be able to think of many ways to attain and strengthen the work for peace and focus will then be on the care for the IDPs," said Arnado.

Hardly had the inked dried in the MILF's SOMA when IDPs voiced their happiness.

"For us IDPs, we are happy with the declaration of SOMO and SOMA by both sides. We hope this continues so we start life anew and our children can go to school,” said Syriambai Sanganpan on www.mindanews.com.