Tuesday, August 26, 2008 Yano denies MILF shot down military chopper
ARMED Forces Chief Alexander Yano said there is no truth to pronouncements by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that its fighters have shot down a military aircraft involved in the ongoing offensive against recalcitrant rebels in Sarangani Province.
A statement posted on the MILF website indicated that the downed helicopter was seen burning above the fighting zone in the town of Maasim. It crashed a few minutes later in the mountains near General Santos City.
"I think reports like that cannot be hidden. A helicopter that is gunned down I think that will not escape from the observation of any civilian or community so there were a lot of disinformation propaganda to that effect," said Yano.
Yano also noted a statement on the MILF website that the military has suffered heavy casualties and that these were being kept by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) from the public. The military denied that it has suffered extensive number of casualties in the campaign.
"You know, on the side of the military, we cannot hide because our causalities are recorded. It has some implications on benefits, it has some recordings administrative processes so you cannot hide the number of casualties on government," he said.
"On their side, it's a different thing. So they can just float figures for purposes that will serve their purpose, I guess its pure and simple propaganda," said Yano. The military placed the MILF casualty at more than 100.
Yano said the military has suffered "very minimal casualties" contrary to what the MILF is trying to project.
According to military documents, at least 17 soldiers and five militiamen have died and about 66 others have been wounded in the clashes. (VR/Sunnex)
