AFP on red alert ahead of peace accord signing

By: Frances Mangosing - 10 years ago

DEAL SIGNED Government peace panel chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer shakes hands with Moro Islamic Liberation Front chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal after the signing of the last annex to the Bangsamoro framework agreement on the fourth day of talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. With them are Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles and Malaysian facilitator Tengku Dato’ Ab Ghafar Tengku Mohamed. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The military in Central Mindanao went on red alert ahead of the signing of the final peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on Thursday.

“That is a national event, witnessed by the international community, it’s normal that the Armed Forces will declare red alert,” Major General Romeo Gapuz of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division said. He oversees Maguindanao and Cotabato region.

The alert, which places all troops on standby, was up last Monday and could go on for about a week.

Although the military is not looking at any specific group, Gapuz said that “anybody can become potential spoilers.”

Gapuz said security forces have contained the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, a breakaway group of the MILF opposed to the peace deal.

“We have contained them already, we just don’t know whether they can or they are still capable,” he said.

Military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala said they cannot discount the possibility of sabotage.

“We cannot discount possibility of spoilers that’s why we must remain alert and vigilant so that we can prevent any untoward incident,” Zagala said.

He also said that they have not monitored any threats but they are abreast of the situation.

He said they were in “total support” of the peace agreement as “the solution to this long-drawn conflict is a peaceful solution.”

The historic signing of the final peace pact will be held in Malacañang. About 1,000 guests are expected to attend including President Benigno Aquino, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Deles, Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak, and MILF chief Al Haj Murad Ebrahim.