Sunday, May 13, 2007 Military launches ‘preemptive attacks’ on terrorists in Sulu
* Move meant to prevent terrorists from sowing violence on election day
THE commander of the military’s Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) has directed troops in Sulu province to launch “preemptive strikes” to prevent terrorist groups from sowing violence in Monday’s elections.
The directive of Lieutenant General Eugenio Cedo is contained in his operation guidelines to troops in the island province where the military is pursing leaders of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) since August last year.
The military said the operational guidelines were relayed to the troops “to ensure that there will be honest, peaceful and orderly elections throughout the
Westmincom area of responsibility, specifically in Sulu province.”
Cedo said the troops in Sulu and its island municipalities “should be in active defense which will include the conduct of preemptive strike, security patrols and maneuvers, limited attacks.”
He also ordered the conduct of checkpoints, reconnaissance and hot pursuit among others in order to deny the contested areas or positions to the terrorists and renegade members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
Marine forces are also pursuing the group of misguided MNLF forces under Ustadz Habier Malik alias Comander Malik, who had attacked civilian and military targets last April 13 and 14 in the province.
“The conduct of checkpoints should be emphasized (that) utilizing troops which are not engaged in the other activities, in order to secure the populace, enforce circulation, control measures and other laws, orders and regulations,” a military statement said.
“The commander of Westmincom also directed the troops to take action to convince and bring back the displaced residents to their respective places in order for these people to exercise their right to vote,” it added.
The Sulu Regional Trial Court (RTC) issued last May 3 a total of 11 warrants of arrest against Commander Haber Malik in connection with the attacks they have perpetrated in the province.
It could be recalled that Malik’s group attacked the Philippine Marines camp in Panamao including the municipal hall, killing a civilian and wounding several troops and civilians in the area.
With the actions, troops in the area were forced to retaliate to defend their camp and suppress the rebel attack.
Malik’s sub commanders were also named in all the warrants, including several hundred other John Does, Peter Does and Richard Does.
“With this development, the PNP is now the primary agency responsible for the serving of the warrant. However, the Armed Forces shall still give full support in order to effect the arrest of Habier Malik and his followers who were responsible for the crime stated in the warrants of arrest,” the military said. (VR/Sunnex)
