Palace: Arroyo orders ‘unrelenting pursuit’ of Kato, Bravo
Teodoro dares MILF to give up commanders
By Joel Guinto, Lira Dalangin-Fernandez
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 14:37:00 08/20/2008
Filed Under: The Southern Campaign, Mindanao peace process
MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE 2) President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered security forces to conduct a "full, vigorous, and unrelenting pursuit" of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters involved in recent attacks in Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato provinces, her spokesman said Wednesday.
In a statement, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, said Arroyo wants MILF commanders Ameril Umbra Kato, whose men occupied several North Cotabato villages until they were driven out by a military offensive last week, and Abdullah Macapaar alias Commander Bravo, whose fighters attacked five Lanao del Norte towns and left more than 40 people dead, pursued until they are neutralized and any hostages they have taken
released.
"At the National Security Cluster-Cabinet meeting last night [Tuesday], the President directed the military and the police forces to conduct full, vigorous, and unrelenting pursuit operations against rogue elements of the MILF," he said.
"The President only sees a suspension in these operations if and only when MILF commanders Ombra Kato and Bravo, as well as other commanders with them, are neutralized and their hostages are released," Ermita added.
Although the military says civilians that Macapaar's men had used as human shields to hold off counterattacking government forces have been released, they still hold at least one captured soldier.
"President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is angered and deeply frustrated by the treacherous acts committed by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that has now clouded the prospects of an early positive conclusion of the peace process between government and the MILF," Ermita said.
Ermita quoted Arroyo as ordering the military and police to utilize "every arsenal" at their disposal "without let-up."
"The President regrets that the MILF's failure to restrain its field commanders reflects the organization's lack of sincerity to push for a successful conclusion of the peace process," he said.
In the past, he said the government has tolerated minor skirmishes between its forces and the MILF on the "excuse" that these were perpetrated by rogue elements in their fold.
"This excuse has been abused for too long and the President now draws the line," Ermita said.
Arroyo also warned "other armed groups" against taking advantage of the situation in Mindanao by undertaking destabilization efforts, Ermita said. He said key urban centers will also be secured to prevent potential spillovers of the conflict.
Ermit said the President is supporting moves by the Commission on Human Rights in filing cases against the two MILF commanders.
She also reiterated her directives to the Departments of Social Welfare and Development and of Health and other concerned agencies to assist families displaced by the fighting in Mindanao.
In Iligan City, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. dared the MILF to prove its sincerity in forging peace by surrendering the two rebel commanders, adding that even if the secessionist group refused to do so, "We are in the process of apprehending them and we will not stop."
"They [MILF] are caught between trying to save face of one of their own and really wanting to pursue the negotiations so the best thing to do for them is to surrender these people to us so that we can prosecute them ," Teodoro said in a phone interview with reporters.
Teodoro said there was "no justification whatsoever" for the rebel attacks in the two provinces, which he said "could qualify as terrorist acts."
Arson and multiple murder charges have been filed against Kato while authorities are preparing similar charges against Macapaar. The government has also put up a P5-million bounty for each of them.
But Teodoro said the charges against the two MILF commanders could be upgraded later to violations of the anti-terrorism law, officially called the Human Security Act.
The defense chief met with military and local government officials in Iligan City to assess the damage wrought by the MILF attacks in Lanao del Norte.
"Right now, where I am in Lanao del Norte, the situation is stable. The MILF has been chased away from the area, pursuit operations [are ongoing] against Bravo," Teodoro said.
He said troops were authorized to use "all appropriate and justifiable measures" to apprehend Macapaar and his men, and prevent them from staging further attacks.
Teodoro said some 6,000 to 7,000 people remain displaced in Kolambugan town, which was overran for several hours by the MILF on Monday, and in Kauswagan town and Iligan City, with the bulk of the displaced people in Ozamiz City, which is near Kolambugan.
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