Robredo to South’s execs: Enforce ‘all-out justice’

Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo. INQUIRER file photo

Now “all-out-jutsice” is to be served by civilians, too.

Interior Secretary Jesse M. Robredo has ordered governors, mayors and village chiefs, particularly in conflict areas in Mindanao, to carry out the government’s “all-out justice” campaign against lawless elements hiding out in their communities.

Robredo, who was with Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman and Presidential Peace Adviser Teresita Deles, issued the directive Friday during visits in Basilan and Zamboanga Sibugay province to deliver President Benigno Aquino III’s message.

He reminded the officials of their sworn duty to lead the peace and order campaign, including going after lawless elements and fugitives, and urged them to seek help from the military and police in this effort.

“If local executives won’t do anything against lawless elements and fugitives present in their areas, there would be no peace and development. If those problems persist in their locality, no amount of money and infrastructure projects would make them succeed,” he added.

“If a concerned local chief executive does nothing against lawless elements or even harbors fugitives in their areas, they are liable under the law. We can file criminal and administrative cases against them such as harboring fugitives or dereliction of duty under the Local Government Code of 1991,” he said.

Robredo also explained the government’s policy of “all-out justice” instead of an “all-out war” espoused by some quarters against rogue Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) elements and Abu Sayyaf members in the region.

“It is the responsibility of the government to go after and work for the arrest of lawless elements and fugitives hiding or staying in MILF-controlled areas,” he said.

But “it does not mean we are up against the MILF. The peace negotiations with them should push through. I hope that the public, particularly the Muslim-dominated areas in Mindanao, would understand that line,” he added.

Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad on Tuesday appealed to both camps to pursue peace negotiations.

“Please just let wisdom prevail among us so we can know how to properly react in the situation we are in,” Jumoad told reporters in a phone interview Tuesday. “We appeal to them to remain calm and just please maintain peace and order in the province.”

“Our government has already said it is committed to the peace talks [and] so we hope we can have sincere, honest and committed peace talks instead,” said the prelate. With a report from Jocelyn R. Uy