Noy strikes ‘deal’ with MILF, vows ‘all-out justice’

Feeling the weight of public pressure to launch an all-out war against the Moro rebels who continue to kill government troops, President Aquino yesterday said there would still be no all-out war against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), but vowed that his administration would intensify military operations, specifically targeting personalities in the MILF who are behind the series of attacks, particularly in Al-Barka, Basilan and in Zamboanga Sibugay in an apparent bid to quell growing outrage by members of the military because of his indecision and weakness in handling the latest outbreak of violence in Mindanao.

Instead, he vowed that that there will be “all out justice” for the deaths of more than two dozen troops killed by the Muslim secessionists in Basilan and Zamboanga Sibugay.

In a bid to save face, the military also yesterday started air and ground attacks against an MILF lair in Zamboanga Sibugay, whose members were responsible for the attacks on government troops and civilians.

Despite the late show of military force however, the military had to explain that the Zamboanga MILF lair was not covered by the MILF controlled territories, which translates to the military not touching the MILF Basilan lair.

But Aquino appeared to have struck some sort of a deal with the MILF.

In justifying his refusal to launch and all-out offensive against the MILF despite its leadership’s failure to demonstrate it really has control over its unit commanders, Aquino said that “while it is tempting for government to join the chorus in calling for blood, we believe that such a course of action is not appropriate at this point,” adding that he

rejects knee-jerk reactions that will jeopardize his efforts to address the roots of conflict in the region.”

To do this, Aquino said that he has worked out a deal with the MILF Central Command which allegedly promised to cooperate with the government in its effort to identify “one by one” all of those were behind the Al-Barka and Zamboanga Sibugay attacks, which may mean that the the military will be limited in going after the group of Sulayman and not the MILF men who reinforced them during the gunfight.

Aquino refused to give details as to what specific arrangements were made with the MILF but pointed out that MILF leadership has given its imprimatur for the government to launch military operations against this series of deadly attacks against government security forces.

“The difficult peace process cannot be enhanced by shedding more blood and generating more ill-will. We have to exhaust all possibilities for attaining peace through dialogue. We will not pursue all-out war. We will instead pursue all-out justice. All-out war is indiscriminate and born out of anger. All-out justice is sober and fair. It is based on the rule of law and leads to lasting peace,” Aquino said.

“I have instructed intensified operations against all these criminal elements. The mailed fist of the state will be brought to bear upon them so that justice may be served. There is no question that the state will find them. The only remaining question is when,” he added.

Aquino said the special forces unit were after “criminals whose actions stand outside of the peace process and what it signifies.”

Aquino added that “the difficult peace process cannot be enhanced by shedding more blood and generating more ill-will,” and therefore, the government needs to exhaust all possibilities for attaining peace through dialogue.

Aquino assured that with his marching order for the military to pursue specific targets involved in the deadly attacks against government security forces, Aquino said that the “government will do everything it can to maximize the safety of the people and attend to their needs.”

About 200 government troops yesterday started air and ground strikes against a lair of rogue elements of the MILF in Zamboanga Sibugay province that admitted responsibility for the ambush-killing of eight soldiers and policemen during two separate attacks on Thursday.

The intensified operations against the group of rogue MILF member Waning Abdusalam came hours after Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz ordered field commanders to pursue lawless elements responsible in the recent spate of atrocities against government troops and civilians.

“I have ordered Army field commanders to continue pursuing the armed groups and lawless elements that attacked and cause the death of our troops in Basilan, Zamboanga Sibugay and Lanao del Norte,” said Ortiz.

Acting Army spokesman Maj. Harold Cabunoc said that the government troops, composed of combined military and police forces, were dispatched at around 11 a.m. yesterday in Barangay Labatan, Payao town, Zamboanga Sibugay to conduct law enforcement operation and arrest Abdulsalam, who is wanted for kidnapping.

Cabunoc said that the troops were backed up by armored vehicles and OV-10 bomber planes.

“About 200 strong combined elements of the PNP (Philippine National Police) and the Army have implemented the operation backed by OV-10 gunships and armored vehicles. Bombing strikes began at 11:30 a.m. today,” said Cabunoc.

Cabunoc added that the target group is estimated at about 100 heavily armed bandits are holed up in their bunkers and running trenches in the area.

In spite of the intensified pursuit operations, Cabunoc stressed that the military will ensure that provisions of the ceasefire agreement with the MILF will be observed.

“General Ortiz has directed his subordinate commanders to pursue all lawless elements in their respective areas, while ensuring that the ceasefire agreement is strictly observed. There is no recognized Area of Temporary Stay for the MILF in the area,”said Cabunoc.

For his part, military Western Mindanao Command spokesman Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang said the peace-loving people of Zamboanga Sibugay province are clamoring for the neutralization of Abdulsalam, who is notorious for his extortion and kidnapping activities.

“They (MILF) can actually assist us through the Ahjag (ad Hoc Joint Action Group) and CCCH (Coordinating Committee on Cessation of Hostilities),” said Cabangbang.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom and the European Union on Monday called on Muslim rebels to stop the use of violence that have killed 19 soldiers and several other civilians in strife-torn Mindanao last week, but rejected armed retaliation by the Philippine government.

British Ambassador Stephen Lillie expressed serious concern over the recent spate of ambushes by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), saying the rebel group needs to reassure public and political opinion that they remain committed to the peace process.

But for this to happen, Lillie said, “the current spate of ambushes must stop.”

The European Union, for its part, wants the MILF to condemn the use of violence as it joined Britain in calling for a peaceful and non-military solution to the conflict.

“We hope all sides will maintain an unwavering commitment to the cease fire and the peace process,” it said in a statement.

Both the UK and the EU provide assistance in the Mindanao peace process. The UK is a member of an advisory body called the International Contact Group (ICG) and the EU is part of the International Monitoring Team (IMT), which oversees the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between the government and the MILF.

The EU said the Malaysian-led IMT should consider conducting an independent investigation of the incidents to determine whether there have been violations of the ceasefire agreement and violations of the international law and human rights.

Vice President Jejomar Binay supported Aquino’s no-war policy against the MILF but noted that a thorough review of the terms of the ceasefire accord is urgently needed.

“I fully support President Aquino’s stand to find a peaceful solution to our problem in the South. But I believe we need to revisit the ceasefire agreement. There might be a lot of loopholes that’s why we cannot pinpoint who is at fault,” he said.

Binay also said pursuing peace talks does not mean that government should not pursue those responsible for the attacks against its soldiers.

The EU commended Aquinofs decision to seek a political solution to the conflict, while Lillie said the President’s refusal to launch full-scale military action demonstrated his commitment to the road of peace, adding that “the onus was now on the MILF leadership to show its hand.”

“I am seriously concerned by the reports of ambushes by MILF members in different parts of Mindanao over the past week. But meeting violence with violence will not solve the conflict in the southern Philippines,” Lillie said.

On the contrary, he said, “it is only likely to lead to a downward spiral of killing, with untold misery and suffering for innocent civilians.” –Virgilio J. Bugaoisan with Michaela P. del Callar, Daily Tribune