Thursday, July 26, 2007 Military mum on specifics of offensive v. MILF in Basilan
* Palace orders military 'to minimize collateral damage'
* Senator calls for safety of Basilan residents
THE Armed Forces said it is keeping its silence on the ongoing "punitive actions" against Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels in Basilan province saying certain operational security concerns may be compromised.
But Armed Forces public information officer Bartolome Bacarro was quick to clarify that the military decision is not tantamount to a news blackout, stressing this will only address possible telegraphing of military actions to the enemy.
"Right now, there are some operational security considerations that the Armed Forces of the Philippines is taking, that's why we are not making any statement right now relative to our deployment in Basilan," Bacarro told a press briefing.
Thousands of soldiers launched "punitive actions" against the MILF rebels last Monday after the MILF leadership failed to comply with the one-week ultimatum given by the military for them to surrender its men responsible for the killing and beheading of 14 Marine soldiers in the province.
The soldiers were on their way from an fruitless search and rescue for then abducted Italian priest Fr. Giancarlo Bossi last July 10 when they were waylaid by MILF, Abu Sayyaf and lawless elements in Tipo-Tipo town.
The 57 year-old Bossi was released by his captors last Thursday night in Lanao del Norte. He was snatched by a group of rogue MILF fighters led by Akhidin Abdusalam alias Commander Khidi last June 10 in Payao town in Zamboanga Sibugay province.
Malacañang, meanwhile, ordered concerned agencies to minimize possible collateral damage in the military-led offensive in parts of Basilan as they go after those who were involved in the attack on the Marine soldiers.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), both national and regional offices, for instance was directed to oversee the evacuation of the civilians and residents, particularly in Tipo-Tipo in Basilan to ensure that they would not be caught in the crossfire.
The Office Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process under Jesus Dureza was earlier ordered to oversee the welfare of those that would be affected by the fighting.
He clarified that the offensives is not similar to the previous all-out war launched by the government against the MILF during the Estrada presidency.
At the Senate, meanwhile, Senate President Manuel Villar appealed to the local government of Basilan to ensure the safety of its residents amid the offensive against the MILF.
"Local government officials of Basilan should make sure that evacuation procedures are carried out in orderly fashion and that innocent parties will not be caught in the crossfire between the military and forces of the MILF," Villar said.
Basilan Provincial Police Director Salik Makapantar said 1,000 families from Barangay Guinanta in Al-Barka municipality have already evacuated. Thousands of residents from other barangays like Linuan, Macalang, Danapah, Kailih and Cambug have also fled their homes. (VR/JMR/CPB/Sunnex)
