Thursday, August 28, 2008
Military to continue operations vs MILF during Ramadan
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) vowed Wednesday to pursue its ongoing offensives against renegade Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels even during Ramadan, which starts on September 1.
Brigadier General Jorge Segovia, the military's spokesman for the campaign against the recalcitrant MILF rebels, said the operations will continue at any given time unless an order from the higher ups gets down to the ground troops to stop the offensive.
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"There is no order for us to that effect," said Segovia when asked if there will be a halt of the offensives against the rebels that started last August 18 during the Muslims' holy month.
"So our operation will be continuing," he said.
The military high commander ordered the full-scale operations after the rebels attacked Iligan City and four towns in Lanao del Norte province that left at least 28 civilians, three soldiers - including a lieutenant colonel - and a policeman dead.
"The military follows orders. There is no order for us (to stop the offensive). But we will base our movements on orders," Segovia said, adding that the operations have so far resulted in the capture of at least 15 rebel camps in Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato and Maguindanao.
During the past years, there had been no fighting between government and MILF forces as they abide by the standing ceasefire agreement. However, the military does not stop its offensives during Ramadan against the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group.
On whether the military is inclined to recommend a truce with the MILF during the Ramadan, Segovia said: "That is up to the chief of staff (General Alexander Yano)."
He said if any recommendation will be made, this would be made in private.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Segovia said there were still fighting in Lanao del Norte against the group of MILF commander Abdullah Saber Macapaar. The fighting, that erupted last Monday, has so far resulted in the killing of about 15 rebels and wounding of five soldiers.
"There is still fighting although at the moment, there is no continuous exchange (of gun fires), unlike during the initial contact, first contact. As of moment, we have no reports that they (fighting) are intense (as before)," he said.
Segovia said they actually expect that the fighting would wane but the rebels cannot replenish their ammunition.
"Another possibility is they cannot sustain the military assault," Segovia said, referring to the secessionists.
When asked if the offensive would be soon stopped because of the waning fighting, he said: "I would not say it's nearing its end because we have objectives - the two MILF commanders (Macapaar and Umbra Kato). That's the instruction to the troops... That depends on orders from higher ups but as of now, there is no order coming down so our mission will continue."
Pressed if the campaign is still far from over, he said: "I don't want to give the adjective, whether it is far from over. We have not attained our objective so the operation will continue." (VR/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Dumaguete. (August 28, 2008 issue)
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