Tuesday, August 19, 2008 Arroyo condemns MILF attacks
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Monday directed the military and police to ensure the safety and security of all Filipinos especially those in Mindanao following a series of attacks from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels the last of which in Lanao del Norte Province last Monday.
Arroyo, in condemning the attack, also convened an emergency meeting of the National Security Council to assess the situation in Lanao del Norte and other parts of Mindanao “and come up with concrete, firm decisive action to defend the peace-loving people of Mindanao.”
The President, during the nationwide address, said the attacks in at least three towns of Lanao del Norte is not just a violation of the peace efforts but also a challenge to those desiring peace and development especially in Mindanao.
“Because of these sneaky and treacherous attacks, as your Commander-in-Chief, I have ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to defend every inch of Philippine territory against MILF forces, and immediately restore peace in the affected areas in Lanao del Norte,” she said.
“We will not tolerate and will crush any attempt to disturb peace and development in Mindanao. I assure the Filipino people that the government will defend them at all cost against any move or any group that will disrupt our aspirations for a genuine and lasting peace not only in Mindanao but in the whole country. I am with you in peace. We are all in this together,” she added.
During a press conference, Armed Forces Chief Alexander Yano ordered another round of offensives against the MILF.
Yano said they are treating the MILF attacks, specifically the ambush in Lanao del Sur that left eight soldiers dead and 10 others injured, as the MILF’s declaration of war against the government.
“The recent MILF-perpetrated incidents in Mindanao, starting with the ambush of Army troops of the 5th Infantry Battalion by the MILF members in Lanao del Sur on Sunday is a virtual declaration of war against the duly constituted authority and this was confirmed by Commander Bravo’s declaration of jihad,” said Yano.
“The AFP shall not allow this to go on, we cannot allow ambuscades, arson, kidnapping, hostage taking, blocking of main highways and other atrocities to be perpetrated by the MILF against the Filipino people,” he also said.
Yano added that MILF atrocities were likewise reported in Iligan City where the rebels set off two bombs on hotels and an attack on Marine soldiers in Sumisip, Basilan. The bombings left at least three innocent civilians injured.
He hoped that the MILF in other areas of Mindanao would not commit atrocities even as he assured that government troops are ready to respond to such rebel activities.
“We are now taking military action to stop these atrocities; these developments are clear manifestation of the insincerity to the peace process of a significant portion of the MILF. It appears that several MILF sub-commanders are not controlled by the MILF leadership and just using the peace process as a blanket to launch violent attacks against the people of Mindanao,” he said.
Yano said they have enough forces in the Lanao provinces to carry out the latest offensive. (JMR/VR/Sunnex)
