President Benigno Aquino III reviews the honor guard with Army Col. Anthony Alcantara upon arrival for the command conference at the AFP Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. EDWIN BACASMAS./INQUIRER
MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III has expressed dismay at the military’s performance as of late, a military official said Friday.
Brigadier General Jose Mabanta Jr., Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said that Aquino expressed at the command conference in Camp Aguinaldo, his dissatisfaction with the performance of the military since the attack of the three mining firms in Surigao del Norte.
Aquino ordered the AFP “to review the organization set up in very critical areas” in Jolo and Basilan, Mabanta said, adding that the Chief Executive ruled out an all-out war against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
But the military officials were taking Aquino’s dissatisfaction in “good stride” knowing they have to “step up” their operations, Mabanta said.
On Tuesday, 19 Philippine Army soldiers were killed during an encounter with MILF rebels in Al-Barka town, in Basilan.
Aquino arrived at Camp Aguinaldo at 2:15 p.m. Friday and left immediately after the conference at 4:30 p.m., avoiding the members of the media. He then proceeded to the Philippine National Police Headquarters at Camp Crame.
Mabanta also said that the AFP might file charges against the MILF but “it will have to be done in Basilan.” He said the military was in the process of “identifying the perpetrators.”
At the same time, he said the peace process would proceed even if the military needed to take “harsher moves” but maintained that “the success of the peace process” remained on top of their priority.
No hot pursuit operations would be launched against the MILF, saying the ongoing ceasefire agreement with the Moro rebels has to be observed, he said.
With the reports that soldiers have been demoralized following the death of their comrades in Tuesday’s clash, Mabanta said it was “really sad” but the military has to “move on.”
“The demoralization may be a hindrance to our duties,” Mabanta said.
“The first time we took our oath as soldier, this is already part and parcel if we are fallen as some of our comrades happen to be. Let it be. It’s part of our job,” he said.
The command conference was attended by major service commanders, unified commanders, other military officials, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles, Government of the Philippines Peace Panel Chair Marvic Leonen, Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, Executive Secretary Ochoa and Secretary of National Defense Voltaire Gazmin.