A Philippine official on Monday denied a Malaysian government report that Manila has struck a peace deal with the country's largest separatist Muslim group.
"There is no such thing," said retired general Eduardo Ermita, President Gloria Arroyo's adviser on the peace process.
The Malaysian foreign ministry on Monday said negotiators from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Philippine government have reached a peace deal after talks held in Kuala Lumpur.
The MILF panel later denied that a deal has been reached.
"They are still talking at the technical committee level," Ermita told AFP. "I should know."
The MILF, which has 12,500 fighters, signed a truce with Manila in June and began a new round of peace talks with Manila in Malaysia last month aimed at reaching a political settlement to their 23-year rebellion.
There has been speculation in recent weeks that the two sides would sign an accord during a two-day state visit to Malaysia by Philippine President Gloria Arroyo.
The Filipino leader flies to Kuala Lumpur early Tuesday -- MANILA (AFP)
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