Thursday, September 04, 2008 AFP offensive slows down as number of victims rises
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) offensive against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has slowed down in deference to the Holy Month of Ramadan by the Muslim community.
AFP chief of staff Alexander Yano said the order to scale down the offensive is to allow Islamic communities to observe Ramadan.
Yano said the military would minimize the use of artillery and air strikes on positions occupied by MILF renegade leaders Ameril Umbra Kato, Abdullah Macapaar and Solaiman Pangalian in Central Mindanao and Lanao provinces.
"We're adjusting our law enforcement operations to allow Muslims to peacefully observe Ramadan," Yano said in a statement.
The general, however, added that despite the scaling down of military offensives against the MILF, government soldiers "are not prevented from proportionately employing such firepower when extremely necessary in addressing imminent threats from overwhelming lawless MILF forces."
In contrast with the slowing of offensive is the rising number of killed and injured in the armed conflict. The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) reported Wednesday that about 66 people were killed and 79 others were hurt.
Of the dead, only four soldiers were killed while the rest are civilians. (BOT)
