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Thursday, August 21, 2008
All-out war against MILF ruled out
By Froilan Gallardo
ILIGAN CITY -- Iligan City officials called for an "all-out eradication" against the Moro rebels responsible for last Monday's attack in Kolambugan town that left at least 33 people dead and displaced thousands of residents.
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, however, said no to an all-out war against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
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Teodoro instead outlined a two-track policy against the rebels before a frustration-packed City Council meeting Wednesday led by Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz.
The defense secretary said the government will respect the peace talks with the MILF and at the same time run after Abdullah Macapaar alias Commander Bravo, who led Monday's attack, and Ameril Umbra Kato, who allegedly led the occupation of some villages in North Cotabato last week.
"It might be a very popular policy here to have an all-out eradication," Teodoro said. "My policy is to secure and defend, in accordance with the law, innocent civilians and to preserve the integrity of the republic, but not by eradicating people like they are mice. Whether that is popular or not, I will stand that ground, and my oath of office depends on it."
Teodoro heard demands from City Councilors led by Voltaire Rovira who said rebels should be disarmed and their camps overrun, adding that security has deteriorated while the government has pursued peace under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
"Whenever something goes wrong, they don't threaten the soldiers or President Arroyo," Rovira complained. "We are the ones who are threatened, shot or set on fire."
Wednesday’s meeting was so heated that Brigadier General Antonio Supnet, head of the Army 104th Brigade, walked out after the councilors accused the military of abandoning Kolambugan town at the height of last Monday's attack.
"I cannot accept that the military had done nothing to protect the people of Lanao del Norte. I was even there in Barangay lapayan in Kasuwagan town to retrive the dead bodies of the innocent civilians killed in the fighting," Supnet said.
MILF denial
The MILF leadership meanwhile denied ordering the attacks in Kolambugan town, saying they were launched by Commander Bravo who was frustrated at delays to finalizing a peace agreement.
In a radio interview Wednesday, Bravo said his group had "nothing to do with" the attacks. But he complained that his fighters are running out of patience with the government peace process.
If the government declares an all-out war, we will also declare an all-out war in Mindanao," he said. "We are ready to kill and be killed. The patience of Muslims has run out."
In a statement posted on their website, the MILF warned the government against launching an all-out offensive, saying it would be "the most serious blunder that this sitting regime could commit."
Filipinos will be caught again in the "never-ending vicious cycle of political and economic instability," the statement said.
Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno has earlier announced a P5-million reward each for the arrest of Bravo and Kato.
Offensive
Teodoro on Wednesday detailed the difficulties that the military faces if it goes on an all-out offensive against the MILF, including the chance that further conflict could inflame the tensions even more.
"The point is we must not go overboard," Teodoro said. "We also have to heal (and) at the same time impose justice."
"I will not bend with forces of bigotry and passion," he added.
Asked if troops have the authority to attack rebel camps, Teodoro said: "The problem is these are not ordinary camps. They are communities. Rebels stay with their families. If we are going to do action, we don't want any collateral damage to the civilians."
Lieutenant General Cardozo Luna, chief of Task Force Mindanao assigned to run after Bravo and Kato, said they have received orders to conduct "a vigorous campaign" against Bravo and Kato.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) have sent its elite Special Action Force from Manila to Lanao del Norte Wednesday to augment two Army battalions, which have already arrived from the Visayas.
Signs of the impending punitive strike against Bravo are seen everywhere here: Soldiers on military trucks escorted by tanks are rushing to the mountains of Lanao del Norte.
In Lumbia airport, OV-10 Air Force bombers parked at the tarmac with explosives in their bomb bays ready to pound Bravo's lairs when orders will be issued.
Underscoring the unstable situation in Iligan City, cell phone text messages spreading rumors of an impending rebel attack triggered panic and thousands ran to City Hall to seek cover late Tuesday. (Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro/With Richel Umel)
Related stories:
Lanao folk demand all-out war vs MILF
P5M reward up for 2 MILF leaders
Kato, 6 other MILF leaders charged
Arroyo wants MILF rebels in attacks pursued
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Iloilo. (August 21, 2008 issue)
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