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Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Arroyo orders less bombings in Mindanao
By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the military to restrain its artillery and aerial bombings in Mindanao, as she expressed her desire to advance ongoing peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Arroyo issued the order after meeting with top officials of the Cabinet Cluster on National Security Monday afternoon, where a consensus was reached to step up measures to enforce the law, preserve the atmosphere of peace and stability, and advance the ongoing peace talks.
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"The best course of action to ensure that hostilities do not escalate and are not exploited by lawless elements is for the (military) to work closely with the established mechanisms of the peace process...to keep combatants in place and increase vigilance against those intent at breaking the peace, at agitating the people, at pitting government against the MILF and communities against each other," Arroyo said in her statement.
She referred to the joint ceasefire committees, Ad Hoc Joint Action Group and International Monitoring Team as among the groups the military must work with to keep the peace in Mindanao.
Arroyo said she has directed the military to strictly enforce the guidelines on the "Primary of the Peace Process" and adhere to the agreement signed in 1997 between the government and MILF on the Cessation of Hostilities.
The President also enjoined all commanders in the field to be constantly aware of the strategic implications of tactical actions near MILF areas.
Arroyo said the restraint she is ordering should not impair the operational flexibility and quick response of the military in countering the threats of terrorism, insurgency, and criminality.
She urged full coordination between the Philippine military and the International Monitoring Team (IMT) and the Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH).
The President also ordered the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces to initiate a comprehensive study of existing guidelines on military operations so provisions that are inconsistent with policies governing the peace process could be ironed out and made clear to troops in all levels of command.
Arroyo expressed her gratitude to the IMT led by Malaysia and all international partners for peace and development for keeping faith in the Philippine peace process.
"My appreciation also goes to the leaders of our local government units, the religious sector and civil society for the support at the head of Christian, Muslim and Lumad communities," she said. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pangasinan. (March 14, 2007 issue)
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